CHEVROLET Aveo 2011 User Manual

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Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011

2011 Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual M

In Brief . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 1-1

Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-3

Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16

Performance and

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21

Keys, Doors and Windows . . . 2-1

Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7

Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10

Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13

Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14

Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14

Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16

Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11

Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24

Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38

Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1

Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1

Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Warning Lights, Gauges, and

Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

Trip Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21

Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4

Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5

Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1

Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3

Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10

Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1

Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1

Air Vents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5

Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1

Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2

Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-17

Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24

Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-25

Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . 9-29

Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30

Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32

Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34

Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-39

Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-40

Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1

General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-3

Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5

Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30

Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-31

Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36

Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42

Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-70

Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-74

Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 10-76

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Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011

2011 Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual M

Service and Maintenance . . . 11-1

General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1

Scheduled Maintenance . . . . . . 11-2

Recommended Fluids,

Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . . 11-6

Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . 11-9

Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1

Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . 12-1

Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2

Customer Information . . . . . . . 13-1

Customer Information . . . . . . . . 13-1

Reporting Safety Defects . . . . 13-13

Vehicle Data Recording and

Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-15

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i-1

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Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011

Introduction iii

The names, logos, emblems,
slogans, vehicle model names, and
vehicle body designs appearing in
this manual including, but not limited
to, GM, the GM logo, CHEVROLET,
the CHEVROLET Emblem, and
AVEO are trademarks and/or
service marks of General Motors
LLC, its subsidiaries, affiliates,
or licensors.

Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 22757853 B Second Printing

This manual describes features that
may or may not be on your specific
vehicle either because they are
options that you did not purchase or
due to changes subsequent to the
printing of this owner manual.
Please refer to the purchase
documentation relating to your
specific vehicle to confirm each of
the features found on your vehicle.
For vehicles first sold in Canada,
substitute the name “General
Motors of Canada Limited” for
Chevrolet Motor Division wherever it
appears in this manual.

Keep this manual in the vehicle for
quick reference.

©

2010 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Canadian Vehicle Owners

Propriétaires Canadiens

A French language copy of this
manual can be obtained from your
dealer or from:

On peut obtenir un exemplaire de
ce guide en français auprès du
concessionnaire ou à l'adresse
suivante:

Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207

1-800-551-4123
Numéro de poste 6438 de langue
française
www.helminc.com

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Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011

iv Introduction

Using this Manual

To quickly locate information about
the vehicle, use the Index in the
back of the manual. It is an
alphabetical list of what is in the
manual and the page number
where it can be found.

Danger, Warnings, and Cautions

Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.

Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result in
serious injury or death.

Warning or Caution indicates a
hazard that could result in injury or
death.

WARNING

{

These mean there is something
that could hurt you or other
people.

Notice: This means there is
something that could result in
property or vehicle damage. This
would not be covered by the
vehicle's warranty.

A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means “Do
Not,” “Do not do this,” or “Do not let
this happen.”

Symbols

The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.

M : This symbol is shown when

you need to see your owner manual
for additional instructions or
information.

* : This symbol is shown when

you need to see a service manual
for additional instructions or
information.

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Introduction v

Vehicle Symbol Chart

Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.

9 : Airbag Readiness Light
# : Air Conditioning
! : Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g : Audio Steering Wheel Controls

or OnStar

®

$ : Brake System Warning Light

" : Charging System

I : Cruise Control

B : Engine Coolant Temperature

O : Exterior Lamps

# : Fog Lamps

. : Fuel Gauge

+ : Fuses

3 : Headlamp High/Low-Beam

Changer

j : LATCH System Child

Restraints

* : Malfunction Indicator Lamp
: : Oil Pressure

} : Power

/ : Remote Vehicle Start

> : Safety Belt Reminders

7 : Tire Pressure Monitor

d : Traction Control

M : Windshield Washer Fluid

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Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011

vi Introduction

2 NOTES

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In Brief 1-1

In Brief

Instrument Panel

Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Initial Drive Information

Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-3

Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5

Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5

Trunk Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6

Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6

Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7

Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8

Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 1-8

Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9

Sensing System for Passenger

Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9

Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10

Steering Wheel

Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11

Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11

Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11

Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-12

Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13

Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14

Vehicle Features

Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16

Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17

Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-18

Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-18

Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19

Trip Computer (US Only) . . . . 1-19

Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20

Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20

Performance and Maintenance

Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-21

Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-21

Hood Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22

Driving for Better Fuel

Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22

Roadside Assistance

Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23

®

OnStar

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24

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1-2 In Brief

Instrument Panel

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In Brief 1-3

A. Air Vents on page 8‑4.

B. Turn and Lane‐Change Lever.

See Turn and Lane-Change
Signals on page 6‑3.

C. Instrument Cluster on page 5‑8.

D. Windshield Wiper/Washer on

page 5‑3.

Rear Window Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑5 (If Equipped).

E. Clock on page 5‑5.

F. Data Link Connector (DLC)

(Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5‑14.

G. Hood Release. See Hood on

page 10‑6.

H. Horn on page 5‑3.

I. Infotainment on page 7‑1.

J. Climate Control Systems on

page 8‑1.

K. Ashtray. See Ashtrays on

page 5‑7.

L. Cupholders on page 4‑1.

M. Cigarette Lighter. See Cigarette

Lighter on page 5‑6.

N. Hazard Warning Flashers on

page 6‑3.

O. Glove Box on page 4‑1.

Initial Drive Information

This section provides a brief
overview about some of the
important features that may or may
not be on your specific vehicle.

For more detailed information, refer
to each of the features which can be
found later in this owner manual.

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1-4 In Brief

Starting the Engine

The vehicle has a
Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. It assists in starting the
engine and protects components.
If the ignition key is turned to
START and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the engine
will continue cranking for a few
seconds or until the engine starts.
If the engine does not start and the
key is held in START, cranking will
be stopped after 15 seconds to
prevent damage. To prevent gear
damage, cranking is not allowed if
the engine is running. Engine
cranking can be stopped by
turning the ignition key to ACC/
ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF. See
Starting the Engine on page 9‑19.

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System

The RKE transmitter is used to
remotely lock and unlock the doors
from up to 20 m (65 ft) away from
the vehicle.

Hatchback

Sedan

K to unlock all of the doors.

Press

Q to lock all of the doors.

Press

V and hold for

Press
approximately one second to open
the trunk on the sedan model.

3 to sound the panic alarm

Press
on the hatchback model. Press any
of the buttons on the transmitter to
turn off the alarm.

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In Brief 1-5

The LED light (A) on the transmitter
flashes when the buttons on the
transmitter are pressed. If the light
does not flash, the transmitter
battery needs to be replaced.

See Keys on page 2‑2 and Remote

Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2‑3.

Door Locks

From the outside, lock or unlock the
door using the key or the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter,
if equipped.

From the inside, all of the doors can
be locked and unlocked by pushing
or pulling the manual door lock on
each door.

On vehicles equipped with the
central door unlocking system, lock
or unlock all the doors from the
inside using the driver door lock
switch.

For more information see:

.

Door Locks on page 2‑5.

.

Central Door Unlocking System
on page 2‑6.

Liftgate

To unlock the liftgate on the
hatchback model from outside the
vehicle, use the key in the lock
cylinder or use the RKE transmitter,
if equipped.

The handle is located above the
right side of the license plate. Pull
the handle toward you and raise the
liftgate.

To lock the liftgate, use the key or
the RKE transmitter, if equipped.

The liftgate can also be locked or
unlocked by the central door
unlocking system.

For more information see Liftgate
(Hatchback) on page 2‑9.

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1-6 In Brief

Trunk Release

The vehicle may have a release
button located on the driver door.
Press it to open the trunk.

The vehicle may have a trunk
release lever located on the
outboard side of the driver seat.
Pull the lever to open the trunk.

For more information see Trunk on
page 2‑7.

Windows

Manual Windows

Use the window crank to open and
close each window.

The rear windows do not open fully.

For more information see Manual
Windows on page 2‑15.

Power Windows

On vehicles with power windows,
the switches for all windows are
located on the driver door armrest.
Each passenger door has a switch
for its own window.

The ignition must be in ON/RUN to
use the power windows. To lower
the window, press and hold the
switch. To raise the window, lift up
on the switch. Release the switch
when the window reaches the
desired level.

For more information see Power
Windows on page 2‑15.

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Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011

In Brief 1-7

Seat Adjustment

Manual Seats

To adjust a manual seat:

1. Lift the bar under the front of the
seat to unlock it.

2. Slide the seat to the desired
position and release the bar.

3. Try to move the seat back and
forth to be sure it is locked in
place.

See Seat Adjustment on page 3‑3
for more information.

Seat Height Adjuster

Turn the knob on the outboard side
of the seat to adjust the height of
the driver seat cushion.

Turn the knob forward to raise and
rearward to lower.

See Seat Adjustment on page 3‑3
for more information.

Manual Lumbar

Move the adjustment lever on the
outboard side of the seatback up or
down to one of three positions to
increase or decrease the lumbar
support.

The highest position provides the
most support and the lowest
position provides the least support.

See Lumbar Adjustment on
page 3‑4 for more information.

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1-8 In Brief

Reclining Seatbacks

To recline a manual seatback:

1. Lift the lever.

2. Move the seatback to the
desired position, and then
release the lever to lock the
seatback in place.

3. Push and pull on the seatback to
make sure it is locked in place.

To return the seatback to the upright
position:

1. Lift the lever fully without
applying pressure to the
seatback, and the seatback will
return to the upright position.

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

See Reclining Seatbacks on
page 3‑4 for more information.

Second Row Seats

The rear seatbacks can be folded
down to increase cargo space.

For detailed instructions see Rear

Seats (Sedan) on page 3‑6 or Rear
Seats (Hatchback) on page 3‑8.

Head Restraint Adjustment

The vehicle's front seats have
adjustable head restraints in the
outboard seating positions.

Do not drive until the head restraints
for all occupants are installed and
adjusted properly.

To achieve a comfortable seating
position, change the seatback
recline angle as little as necessary
while keeping the seat and the head
restraint height in the proper
position.

For more information see Head
Restraints on page 3‑2.

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Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011

In Brief 1-9

Safety Belts

Refer to the following sections for
important information on how to use
safety belts properly.

.

Safety Belts on page 3‑11.

.

How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly on page 3‑14.

.

Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 3‑20.

.

Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH System) on
page 3‑48.

Sensing System for Passenger Airbag

The passenger sensing system will
turn off the right front passenger
frontal airbag and seat‐mounted
side impact airbag (if equipped)
under certain conditions. The driver
airbags are not affected by this.

The passenger airbag status
indicator will be visible, near the
clock, located in the center of the
instrument panel when the vehicle is
started.

United States

Canada

See Passenger Sensing System on
page 3‑31 for important information.

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1-10 In Brief

Mirror Adjustment

Exterior Mirrors

Manual Outside Mirrors

The controls for the outside manual
mirrors are next to each mirror.

See Manual Mirrors on page 2‑13.

Power Outside Mirrors

The control is on the instrument
panel, left of the steering wheel.

The ignition must be turned to
ON/RUN to adjust the mirrors.

1. Select the mirror by moving the
selector switch to L for the driver
side mirror or R for the
passenger side.

2. Press one of the four arrows on
the control pad to move the
mirror in the desired direction.

See Power Mirrors on page 2‑13.

Interior Mirror

Hold the inside rearview mirror in
the center to move it for a clearer
view behind your vehicle. Adjust the
mirror to avoid glare from the
headlamps behind you. Push the
tab forward for daytime use and
pull it for nighttime use.

See Manual Rearview Mirror on
page 2‑14.

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Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011

In Brief 1-11

Steering Wheel Adjustment

The lever is located under the
steering column, slightly to the left.

To adjust the steering wheel:

1. Pull the lever down.

2. Move the steering wheel up or
down into a comfortable position.

3. Pull the lever up to lock the
wheel in place.

Do not adjust the tilt lever while
driving.

Interior Lighting

Dome Lamp

The vehicle has a dome lamp
located in the overhead console.

Move the switch to the following
positions:

ON: The light comes on and
stays on.

O : The light comes on when a

door is opened. The light turns off
when all the doors are closed.

OFF: The light remains off even
when a door is opened.

Be sure all doors and trunk lid or
hatch are completely closed or the
battery may drain.

For more information about interior
lighting, see Dome Lamps on

page 6‑5

Exterior Lighting

Uplevel Shown, Base Similar

The lever on the left side of the
steering column operates the
exterior lamps.

3 : Turns on the headlamps and

other exterior lamps.

The headlamps automatically turn
off when the ignition key is turned to
LOCK/OFF or ACC/ACCESSORY.

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1-12 In Brief

; : Turns on the parking lamps,

together with the taillamps, license
plate lamp, and instrument panel
lights.

OFF: Turns all the lamps off,
except the Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL).

For more information, see:

.

Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1.

.

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
on page 6‑2.

.

Fog Lamps on page 6‑4.

Windshield Wiper/Washer

Sedan Shown

Hatchback Shown

The lever is located on the right side
of the steering column. The ignition
must be turned to ON/RUN to
operate the windshield wipers.

HI: Fast wipes.

LO: Slow wipes.

INT: Move to this position for a

delayed wiping cycle. Turn the band
on the windshield wiper toward
FAST or SLOW for a shorter or
longer delay between wipes. The
wiper speed can only be adjusted
when the lever is in the INT position.

OFF: Turns the windshield
wipers off.

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Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011

Misting Function

Move the lever toward INT for a
single wiping cycle. Hold it there
until the windshield wipers start;
then let go. For several wipes, hold
the band toward INT longer.

Windshield Washer

Pull the windshield washer/wiper
lever toward you to spray washer
fluid on the windshield.

See Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑3. For vehicles with a Rear
Window Wiper/Washer, see Rear
Window Wiper/Washer on page 5‑5.

Climate Controls

For vehicles with these climate
control systems, the heating,
cooling, and ventilation can be
controlled for the vehicle.

Climate Control System with Heater and Air Conditioning

A. Temperature Control

B. Fan Control

C. Air Delivery Mode Control

In Brief 1-13

D. Air Conditioning (A/C)

E. Air Recirculation

F. Rear Window Defogger

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1-14 In Brief

Climate Control System with Heater Only

Transmission

Automatic Transmission

Hold Mode

If the vehicle's transmission has
Hold Mode, you can select this
mode to allow the automatic
transmission to stay in a specific
gear range. Select Hold Mode to
help the vehicle maintain traction on
slippery road surfaces, such as
snow, mud, or ice.

A. Temperature Control

B. Fan Control

C. Air Delivery Mode Control

D. Rear Window Defogger

E. Outside Air/Recirculation

See Climate Control Systems on
page 8‑1.

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In Brief 1-15

Press the HOLD button on the shift
lever console to turn on Hold Mode.
Press the button again to turn off
Hold Mode, and return to normal
automatic transmission operation.

When Hold Mode is selected in
D4 (Drive), the transmission is held
in 3 (Third) gear, which locks out
D4 (Drive). This allows for engine
braking when slowing from higher
speeds.

When Hold Mode is selected in
2 (Second), the transmission will
start in 2 (Second) gear instead of
1 (First), helping to reduce wheel
spin when starting out on slippery
surface such as snow, mud or ice.

Since selecting Hold Mode in
D4 (Drive) locks the transmission in
3 (Third), and prevents downshifts to
2 (Second) or 1 (First), acceleration
from a stop or near stop on dry
pavement will be slower than
expected. Hold Mode should not be
selected during these situations.

See Automatic Transmission on
page 9‑25.

Cold Weather Shifting

When operating the vehicle in
severe cold conditions, the
transmission may be prevented
from shifting into D4 gear until the
transmission fluid has warmed up
to its operational temperature.

Five-Speed Manual
Transmission

Up‐Shift Light

Vehicles equipped with a manual
transmission may have an up-shift
light. This light indicates when to
shift to the next higher gear for
better fuel economy.

For the best fuel economy,
accelerate slowly and shift when
the light comes on, if weather, road,
and traffic conditions allow.

It is normal for the light to go on
and off if the accelerator position
changes quickly. Ignore the light
during downshifts.

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1-16 In Brief

Reverse Lockout

The manual transmission is
equipped with a lock ring to prevent
shifting into R (Reverse). To shift
into R (Reverse), press down the
clutch pedal, lift up the ring on
the shift lever, and shift into
R (Reverse). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the
accelerator pedal.

See Manual Transmission on
page 9‑29.

Vehicle Features

Radio(s)

Radio with CD Shown

O : Press and release to turn the

system on. Press and hold this knob
for more than two seconds to turn
the system off.

Turn to increase or decrease the
volume.

When the system is on, press and
release
Press and release

the sound back on.

BAND: Press to choose FM, AM,
or XM™ (if equipped).

O to mute the system.

O again to turn

u SEEK: Press to seek the next

radio station with a strong signal in
the selected band.

t SEEK: Press to seek the

previous radio station with a strong
signal in the selected band.

[ TUNE: Press to go to the next

station manually.

r TUNE: Press to go to the

previous station manually.

SCAN/AST: Press to scan radio
stations. Press and hold to use
Automatic Store.

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Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011

In Brief 1-17

CD/AUX: Press to play a CD when

listening to the radio. CDP appears
on the display when the CD player
has been selected. The CD symbol
will appear on the display when a
CD is loaded. Press CD/AUX while
a CD is playing to pause the CD.
PAUSE flashes on the display.
Press CD/AUX again to start playing
the CD. Press CD/AUX to play a CD
when listening to the audio contents
from another device (AUX mode).
CDP appears on the display when
the CD player has been selected.
The CD symbol will appear on the
display when a CD is loaded.

Press to play a CD while a portable
audio device is playing. Press CD/
AUX a second time for the system
to begin playing audio from the
connected portable audio player.
The portable audio device continues
playing until it is turned off.

For more information about these
and other radio features, see
Operation on page 7‑2.

Storing a Favorite Station

A maximum of 36 stations can be
programmed as favorites using the
six pushbuttons positioned below
the radio station frequency labels
and by using the radio favorites
page button (FAV button). Press the
FAV button to go through up to six
pages of favorites, each having six
favorite stations available per page.
If Automatic Store is used, then four
pages of favorites are available.
Each page of favorites can contain
any combination of AM, FM,
or XM™ (if equipped) stations.

See “Storing a Favorite Station”
under AM-FM Radio on page 7‑3
and CD Player on page 7‑10.

Satellite Radio

XM is a satellite radio service
that is based in the 48 contiguous
United States and 10 Canadian
provinces. XM satellite radio has
a wide variety of programming
and commercial-free music,
coast-to-coast, and in digital-quality
sound.

A fee is required to receive the
XM service.

For more information, refer to:

.

www.xmradio.com or call
1-800-929-2100 (U.S.)

.

www.xmradio.ca or call
1-877-438-9677 (Canada)

See “XM Satellite Radio Service”
under Satellite Radio on page 7‑6.

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Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011

1-18 In Brief

Portable Audio Devices

This vehicle may have a 3.5 mm
(1/8 in) auxiliary input jack, located
on the lower right side of the audio
faceplate. External devices such as

®

iPods

, laptop computers, MP3
players, etc. can be connected to
the 3.5 mm (1/8 in) auxiliary input
jack using a 3.5 mm (1/8 in) input
jack cable.

See “Using the Auxiliary Input Jack”
under AM-FM Radio on page 7‑3
and CD Player on page 7‑10.

Steering Wheel Controls

Front View of the Steering Wheel

Controls

Side View of the Volume Control

If the vehicle has this feature, some
audio controls can be adjusted at
the steering wheel.

PWR: Press and release to turn the
system on and off.

When the system is on, press and
release for a short time to mute the
system. Press and release again to
turn the sound back on.

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Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011

In Brief 1-19

+ VOLUME − : Press the

toggle bar located below the
+ VOLUME − to adjust the volume.

MODE: Press and release this
button multiple times to cycle
through the audio playback options
that are available on the vehicle.

SEEK: Press and release to go to
the next preset station, or CD track.
Press and hold for a long time to go
to the next AM, FM, or XM station,
or to fast forward through CD tracks.

For more information, see Steering
Wheel Controls on page 5‑2.

Cruise Control

For vehicles with cruise control, the
buttons are located on the right side
of the steering wheel.

I / O : Press to turn the cruise

control on or off.

RES+: Press briefly to make the
vehicle resume to a previously set
speed, or press and hold to
accelerate.

SET−: Press to set the speed or
make the vehicle decelerate.

See Cruise Control on page 9‑32.

Trip Computer (US Only)

The vehicle may have a trip
computer. It provides the driver
with driving information such as the
driving distance for the remaining
fuel, outside temperature, average
fuel economy, and driving time.

The trip computer button is located
in the lower right area of the
tachometer. Each time you press
it, the display cycles through the
available choices.

See Trip Computer (US Only) on
page 5‑21.

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Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011

1-20 In Brief

Power Outlets

Accessory power outlets can be
used to plug in electrical equipment,
such as a cell phone or MP3 player.

The accessory power outlet is
located next to the parking brake
on the center console.

Remove the cover to access and
replace when not in use.

The accessory power outlet is
operational when the ignition is
turned to ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN.

See Power Outlets on page 5‑5.

Sunroof

On vehicles with this feature, the
switch is on the headliner between
the sun visors and can only be
operated when the ignition is turned
to ON/RUN.

To vent the sunroof, open the
sunshade and then press and hold
the driver side switch. To close,
press the passenger side switch.

To fully open the sunroof, press and
hold the passenger side switch. The
sunshade will open with the sunroof.
To close, press the driver side
switch. Manually close the
sunshade.

See Sunroof on page 2‑16.

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In Brief 1-21

Performance and Maintenance

Tire Pressure Monitor

This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).

The TPMS warning light alerts you
to a significant loss in pressure of
one of the vehicle's tires. If the
warning light comes on, stop as
soon as possible and inflate the
tires to the recommended pressure
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See Vehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑12. The warning
light will remain on until the tire
pressure is corrected.

During cooler conditions, the low tire
pressure warning light may appear
when the vehicle is first started and
then turn off. This may be an early
indicator that the tire pressures are
getting low and the tires need to be
inflated to the proper pressure.

The TPMS does not replace normal
monthly tire maintenance. It is the
driver’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressures.

See Tire Pressure Monitor System
on page 10‑50.

Engine Oil Life System

The engine oil life system calculates
engine oil life based on vehicle use
and displays a change engine oil
light when it is necessary to change
the engine oil and filter.

Resetting the Oil Life System

1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN,
with the engine off.

2. Fully press and release the
accelerator pedal three times
within five seconds.

3. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF.

See Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑12.

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1-22 In Brief

Hood Release

To open the hood:

1. Pull the hood release handle
inside the vehicle. It is located
on the lower left side of the
instrument panel.

2. At the front of the vehicle, lift up
on the secondary hood release
lever, located under the front
center of the vehicle.

3. Lift the hood and securely place
the hood prop into the slot on
the inner fender.

See Hood on page 10‑6.

Driving for Better Fuel Economy

Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible.

.

Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.

.

Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.

.

Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.

.

When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control.

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Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011

.

Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require.

.

Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.

.

Combine several trips into a
single trip.

.

Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.

.

Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.

Roadside Assistance Program

U.S.: 1-800-243-8872

TTY Users: 1-888-889-2438

Canada: 1-800-268-6800

As the owner of a new Chevrolet,
you are automatically enrolled in the
Roadside Assistance program.

See Roadside Assistance Program
on page 13‑6 for more information.

Roadside Assistance and OnStar

If you have an active OnStar
subscription, press the

and the current GPS location will be
sent to an OnStar advisor who will
assess your problem, contact
Roadside Assistance, and relay
your exact location to get the help
you need.

Q button

In Brief 1-23

Online Owner Center

The Online Owner Center is a
complimentary service that includes
online service reminders, vehicle
maintenance tips, online owner
manual, special privileges,
and more.

Sign up today at:

www.chevyownercenter.com
(U.S.) or www.gm.ca (Canada).

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Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011

1-24 In Brief

OnStar

For vehicles with an active OnStar
subscription, OnStar uses several
innovative technologies and live
advisors to provide a wide range
of safety, security, navigation,
diagnostics, and calling services.

Automatic Crash Response

In a crash, built‐in sensors can
automatically alert an OnStar
advisor who is immediately
connected to the vehicle to
see if you need help.

®

How OnStar Service Works

Q : Push this blue button to

connect to a specially trained
OnStar Advisor to verify your
account information and to answer
questions.

] : Push this red emergency

button to get priority help from
specially trained OnStar emergency
advisors.

X : Push this button for hands‐free,

voice‐activated calling and to give
voice commands for Hands‐Free
Calling.

Automatic Crash Response,
Emergency Services, Crisis
Assist, Stolen Vehicle Assistance,
Vehicle Diagnostics, Remote Door
Unlock, Roadside Assistance, and
Hands‐Free Calling are available
on most vehicles. Not all OnStar
services are available on all
vehicles. For more information
see the OnStar Owner's Guide or

visit www.onstar.com (U.S.) or
www.onstar.ca (Canada), contact
OnStar at 1-888-4-ONSTAR
(1‐888‐466‐7827) or TTY

1‐877‐248‐2080, or press
speak with an OnStar advisor
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For a full description of OnStar
services and system limitations,
see the OnStar Owner's Guide in
the glove box.

OnStar service is subject to the
OnStar terms and conditions
included in the OnStar Subscriber
Information.

OnStar service requires wireless
communication networks and the
Global Positioning System (GPS)
satellite network. Not all OnStar
services are available everywhere
or on all vehicles at all times.

Q to

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In Brief 1-25

OnStar service can’t work unless
your vehicle is in a place where
OnStar has an agreement with a
wireless service provider for service
in that area, and the wireless
service provider has coverage,
network capacity, reception, and
technology compatible with OnStar's
service. Service involving location
information about your vehicle can’t
work unless GPS signals are
available, unobstructed, and
compatible with the OnStar
hardware. The vehicle has to have
a working electrical system and
adequate battery power for the
OnStar equipment to operate.
OnStar service may not work if the
OnStar equipment isn’t properly
installed or you haven’t maintained
it and your vehicle is in good
working order and in compliance
with all government regulations.

If you try to add, connect, or modify
any equipment or software in your
vehicle, OnStar service may not
work. Other problems OnStar can’t
control may prevent service to you,
such as hills, tall buildings, tunnels,
weather, electrical system design
and architecture of your vehicle,
damage to important parts of your
vehicle in a crash, or wireless phone
network congestion or jamming.

See Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑16 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-210/220/310.

Your Responsibility

Increase the volume of the radio if
the OnStar advisor cannot be heard.

If the light next to the OnStar
buttons is red, the system may not
be functioning properly. Push the

Q button and request a vehicle

diagnostic. If the light appears clear
(no light appears), your OnStar
subscription has expired and all
services have been deactivated.

Push the
the OnStar equipment is active.

Q button to confirm that

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1-26 In Brief

2 NOTES

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Keys, Doors and Windows 2-1

Keys, Doors and Windows

Keys and Locks

Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)

System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

Central Door Unlocking

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Door Ajar Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Doors

Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7

Liftgate (Hatchback) . . . . . . . . . . 2-9

Vehicle Security

Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10

Anti-Theft Alarm System . . . . . 2-10

Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12

Immobilizer Operation . . . . . . . 2-12

Exterior Mirrors

Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13

Manual Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13

Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13

Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14

Interior Mirrors

Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . 2-14

Windows

Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14

Manual Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15

Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15

Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16

Roof

Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16

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2-2 Keys, Doors and Windows

Keys and Locks

Keys

WARNING

{

Leaving children in a vehicle with
the ignition key is dangerous for
many reasons. Children or others
could be badly injured or even
killed. They could operate the
power windows or other controls
or even make the vehicle move.
The windows will function with the
keys in the ignition and children
could be seriously injured or killed
if caught in the path of a closing
window. Do not leave the keys in
a vehicle with children.

The key can be used for the ignition,
doors, and all other locks.

The key has a key code tag that the
dealer or qualified locksmith can
use to make new keys. Store this
information in a safe place, not in
your vehicle.

Your vehicle may have an electronic
immobilizer designed to protect your
car against theft. If so, only keys
with the correct electronic code can
be used to start the vehicle. See

Immobilizer Operation on page 2‑12

for additional information. If a
replacement key or an additional
key is needed, it must be purchased
from your dealer or certified
locksmith.

Notice: If the keys get locked in
the vehicle, it may have to be
damaged to get them out. Always
carry a spare key.

In an emergency, contact Roadside
Assistance. See Roadside

Assistance Program on page 13‑6

for more information.

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Keys, Doors and Windows 2-3

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System

See Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑16 for information

regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-210/220/310.

If there is a decrease in the RKE
operating range:

.

Check the distance. The
transmitter may be too far
from the vehicle.

.

Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal.

.

Check the transmitter's battery.
See “Battery Replacement” later
in this section.

.

If the transmitter is still not
working correctly, see your
dealer or a qualified technician
for service.

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation

The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter functions work up to
20 m (65 ft) away from the vehicle.

There are other conditions which
can affect the performance of the
transmitter. See Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System on page 2‑3.

Sedan

The following functions may be
available if the vehicle has RKE:

Q (Lock): Press to lock all of the

doors. If all of the doors and the
trunk or liftgate are closed, the
hazard lamps flash once and the
horn will sound to indicate that
locking has occurred and the
theft-deterrent system is active.

Hatchback

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2-4 Keys, Doors and Windows

K (Unlock): Press to unlock

all of the doors. The hazard
lamps flash twice to indicate that
unlocking has occurred and that
the theft-deterrent system is
deactivated. If the doors are not
opened within 30 seconds, the
doors will lock again.

3 (Panic) (Hatchback): Press to

sound the panic alarm. The hazard
lamps will flash and the panic alarm
will stay on for about 30 seconds.
Press any of the buttons on the
transmitter to turn off the alarm.

V (Remote Trunk Release)

(Sedan): Press and hold for
approximately one second to open
the trunk.

The LED light (A) on the transmitter
flashes when the buttons on the
transmitter are pressed. If the light
does not flash, see “Battery
Replacement” in this section.

The buttons do not operate and the
theft-deterrent system does not
activate if the key is in the ignition.

Programming Transmitters to
the Vehicle

Only RKE transmitters programmed
to the vehicle will work. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a
replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer.
When the replacement transmitter
is programmed to the vehicle, all
remaining transmitters must also be
programmed. Any lost or stolen
transmitters no longer work once
the new transmitter is programmed.
Each vehicle can have up to
five transmitters programmed to it.

Battery Replacement

Replace the battery if the LED on
the transmitter does not flash when
you press the buttons.

Notice: When replacing the
battery, do not touch any of the
circuitry on the transmitter. Static
from your body could damage the
transmitter.

To replace the battery:

1. Remove the screw from the back
of the cover and open the cover
of the transmitter.

2. Pull the transmitter out of the
cover and carefully turn the
circle cover of the transmitter
unit toward open.

3. Remove the battery.

4. Insert the new battery, positive
side facing up.
Use one three-volt, CR1620,
or equivalent, type battery.

5. Turn the circle cover of the
transmitter unit toward close and
put the transmitter unit in the
cover.

6. Put the two halves back together
and replace the screw. Make
sure the cover is on tightly, so
water will not get in.

7. Test the transmitter operation.

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Keys, Doors and Windows 2-5

Door Locks

WARNING

{

Unlocked doors can be
dangerous.

.

Passengers, especially
children, can easily open
the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a door
is locked, the handle will not
open it. The chance of being
thrown out of the vehicle in
a crash is increased if the
doors are not locked. So, all
passengers should wear
safety belts properly and the
doors should be locked
whenever the vehicle is
driven.

(Continued)

WARNING (Continued)

.

Young children who get into
unlocked vehicles may be
unable to get out. A child can
be overcome by extreme heat
and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from
heat stroke. Always lock the
vehicle whenever leaving it.

.

Outsiders can easily enter
through an unlocked door
when you slow down or stop
the vehicle. Locking the doors
can help prevent this from
happening.

There are several ways to lock and
unlock the vehicle.

From the outside, use your key or
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter. See Remote Keyless

Entry (RKE) System Operation on
page 2‑3.

To manually unlock the front
doors from the outside, insert the
key and turn it counterclockwise.
To manually lock the doors, insert
the key and turn it clockwise.

All doors, except for the driver door,
can be locked by pushing down the
manual door lock and then closing
the door. On vehicles with power
locks, the driver door can only by
locked from the outside by using the
key or the optional RKE transmitter.

From the inside, all of the doors can
be locked and unlocked by pushing
or pulling the manual door lock
located on each door.

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2-6 Keys, Doors and Windows

Central Door Unlocking System

The vehicle may be equipped with
the central door unlocking system.
This system is activated from the
driver door.

From the outside, lock or unlock all
the doors by using either the key or
the RKE transmitter, if equipped.
From the inside, lock or unlock all
the doors by using the driver door
lock switch.

Door Ajar Reminder

If one of the doors, trunk, or liftgate
is not closed properly while the
ignition is on, the door ajar light on
the instrument panel comes on and
stays on until the doors are closed.

Safety Locks

The vehicle has safety locks on
each rear door that prevent
passengers from opening the rear
doors from the inside.

Using the Safety Locks

1. Move the lever up to lock.

2. Close the door.

3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 to the
other rear door lock.

Notice: Pulling the inside door
handle while the rear door
security locks are engaged could
damage your vehicle. Do not pull
the inside door handle while the
rear door security locks are
engaged.

The rear doors on the vehicle
cannot be opened from the inside
while this feature is in use.

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Keys, Doors and Windows 2-7

Opening a Rear Door When the
Safety Lock is On

1. Unlock the door from the inside.

2. Open the door from the outside.

If you do not cancel the safety lock,
adults or older children who ride in
the rear will not be able to open the
rear door from the inside.

Canceling the Safety Locks

1. Unlock the door from the inside
and open the door from the
outside.

2. Move the lever down to unlock.

3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 to the
other rear door lock.

The rear door locks can now be
locked and unlocked normally.

Doors

Trunk

WARNING

{

Exhaust gases can enter the
vehicle if it is driven with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch open, or with
any objects that pass through the
seal between the body and the
trunk/hatch or liftgate. Engine
exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.

If the vehicle must be driven with
the liftgate, or trunk/hatch open:

.

Close all of the windows.

.

Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.

(Continued)

WARNING (Continued)

.

Adjust the Climate Control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air and
set the fan speed to the
highest setting. See Climate
Control System in the Index.

.

If the vehicle is equipped with
a power liftgate, disable the
power liftgate function.

For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑24.

To open the trunk on a sedan from
outside of the vehicle, insert the key
into the lock cylinder and turn the
key clockwise or use the RKE
transmitter, if equipped. See Remote

Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2‑3.

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2-8 Keys, Doors and Windows

Remote Trunk Release

This feature allows the trunk to be
opened from inside the vehicle. The
vehicle may have either a release
button or a release lever.

The vehicle may have a release
button on the driver door. Press it to
open the trunk.

The vehicle may have a trunk
release lever on the outboard side
of the driver seat. Pull the lever to
open the trunk.

When closing the trunk, close from
the center to ensure that it fully
latches.

Emergency Trunk Release
Handle

Notice: Do not use the
emergency trunk release handle
as a tie-down or anchor point
when securing items in the trunk
as it could damage the handle.

The emergency trunk release
handle is only intended to aid a
person trapped in a latched trunk,
enabling them to open the trunk
from the inside.

There is a glow-in-the-dark
emergency trunk release handle on
the underside of the trunk lid. This
handle will glow following exposure
to light. Pull the release handle
down to open the trunk from the
inside.

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Keys, Doors and Windows 2-9

Liftgate (Hatchback)

WARNING

{

Exhaust gases can enter the
vehicle if it is driven with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch open, or with
any objects that pass through the
seal between the body and the
trunk/hatch or liftgate. Engine
exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.

If the vehicle must be driven with
the liftgate, or trunk/hatch open:

.

Close all of the windows.

.

Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.

(Continued)

WARNING (Continued)

.

Adjust the Climate Control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air and
set the fan speed to the
highest setting. See Climate
Control System in the Index.

.

If the vehicle is equipped with
a power liftgate, disable the
power liftgate function.

For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑24.

To unlock the liftgate on a
hatchback from outside of the
vehicle, insert the key in the lock
cylinder and turn it counterclockwise
or use the RKE transmitter,
if equipped.

The handle is above the right side of
the license plate. Pull the handle
toward you and raise the liftgate.

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2-10 Keys, Doors and Windows

When closing the liftgate, close from
the center to ensure that it fully
latches.

To lock the liftgate, insert the key
into the lock cylinder and turn it
clockwise or use the RKE
transmitter, if equipped.

The liftgate can also be locked or
unlocked by the central door
unlocking system or RKE
transmitter, if equipped. See

Central Door Unlocking System on
page 2‑6 and Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation on
page 2‑3.

Vehicle Security

This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features; however, they do not make
it impossible to steal.

Anti-Theft Alarm System

Your vehicle may have a content
theft-deterrent system.

The theft-deterrent system will not
arm when you lock the doors using
the key or the manual door lock.
It arms only when you use the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter.

Arming the System

To arm the system, do the following:

1. Close the doors, the windows,
the hood, and the trunk or
liftgate.

Make sure that the windows are
closed, as the system can be
armed even if the windows
are open.

2. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF and
remove the key from the ignition.

If the key is inserted in the
ignition, the transmitter will not
arm the theft-deterrent system.

3. Lock the doors by pressing the
lock button on the RKE
transmitter.

.

The LED light on the
transmitter will flash once.

.

All of the doors will lock.

.

The hazard warning lamps
will flash once and the horn
will sound.

.

The security light will flash
continuously to indicate that
the theft-deterrent system is
armed. The security light is
located on the center of the
instrument panel near the
clock.

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Keys, Doors and Windows 2-11

To avoid activating the alarm by
accident, do one of the following:

.

Unlock the driver or passenger
front door using the key.

.

Press the unlock button on the
RKE transmitter.

Unlocking a door any other way will
activate the alarm when a door or
the trunk or liftgate is opened.

If you do not want to arm the
theft-deterrent system, lock the
vehicle using the key or the manual
door locks.

Disarming the System

To disarm the system, do one of the
following:

.

Unlock the driver or passenger
front door using the key.

.

Press the unlock button on the
RKE transmitter.

‐ The LED light on the

transmitter will flash once.

‐ All of the doors will unlock.

‐ The hazard warning lamps will

flash twice.

If the door is not opened or if the
engine is not started within
30 seconds after disarming the
system using the transmitter, all of
the doors will automatically lock and
the theft-deterrent mode will re-arm.

How the System Alarm is
Activated

If a door or the trunk or liftgate is
opened without using the key or the
RKE transmitter, the horn will sound
and the lamps will flash for up to
30 seconds.

How to Turn Off the System
Alarm

If the system alarm is active, it can
be deactivated using one of the
following methods:

.

Press one of the buttons on the
RKE transmitter.

.

Unlock the driver or passenger
front door using the key.

Otherwise, the alarm will
automatically stop after 30 seconds.
The system will then lock the doors
and re-arm the theft-deterrent
system.

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2-12 Keys, Doors and Windows

How to Detect a Tamper
Condition

If the hazard warning lamps
flash once when you press the lock
button on the RKE transmitter, the
theft-deterrent system alarm was
activated while you were away.

Immobilizer

See Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑16 for information

regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-210/220/310.

Immobilizer Operation

The vehicle may have a passive
theft-deterrent system.

The immobilizer system prevents
the vehicle from being started by an
unauthorized person by isolating the
power supply to the ignition system,
the fuel pump, and the fuel injectors.

The system is automatically armed
when the key is removed from
the ignition. You do not have to
manually arm or disarm the system.

The vehicle has a special key that
works with the theft-deterrent
system. There is a transponder in
the key head that is electronically
coded. The correct key will start the
vehicle. An invalid key immobilizes
the engine. If the key is ever
damaged, you may not be able to
start the vehicle.

When trying to start the vehicle,
if the engine does not start and the
security light flashes or comes on,
there may be a problem with the
theft-deterrent system. Turn the
ignition off and try again.

If the engine still does not start, and
the key appears to be undamaged,
try another key. At this time, you
may also want to check the fuse.

See Fuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 10‑36. If the engine still does
not start with the other key, your
vehicle needs service. If the vehicle
does start, the first key may be
faulty. See your dealer who can
have a new key made.

Up to 10 keys may be programmed
for the vehicle. If you lose or
damage your keys, only a dealer
can have new keys made.

If you are ever driving and the
security light comes on and stays
on, you will be able to restart
the engine if you turn it off. The
theft-deterrent system, however, is
not working properly and must be
serviced by your dealer. Your
vehicle is not protected by the
theft-deterrent system at this time.

In an emergency, contact Roadside
Assistance. See Roadside
Assistance Program on page 13‑6.

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Keys, Doors and Windows 2-13

Exterior Mirrors

Convex Mirrors

WARNING

{

A convex mirror can make things,
like other vehicles, look farther
away than they really are. If you
cut too sharply into the right lane,
you could hit a vehicle on the
right. Check the inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.

The passenger side mirror is convex
shaped. A convex mirror's surface is
curved so more can be seen from
the driver seat.

Manual Mirrors

The controls for the outside manual
mirrors are next to each mirror.

Manually fold the mirrors inward
to prevent damage when going
through an automatic car wash.
To fold, pull the mirror toward the
vehicle. Push the mirror outward to
return it to the original position.

Power Mirrors

The control is on the instrument
panel, left of the steering wheel.

The ignition must be turned to
ON/RUN to adjust the mirrors.

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2-14 Keys, Doors and Windows

To adjust the mirrors:

1. Select the mirror you want to
adjust by moving the selector
switch to L for the driver side
mirror or R for the passenger
side mirror.

2. Press one of the four arrows on
the control pad to move the
mirror in the desired direction.

Manually fold the mirrors inward
to prevent damage when going
through an automatic car wash.
To fold, pull the mirror toward the
vehicle. Push the mirror outward, to
return it to its original position.

Heated Mirrors

For vehicles with this feature:

< (Rear Window Defogger):

Press to heat the mirrors. See
“Rear Window and Outside Mirror
Defogger” under Climate Control
Systems on page 8‑1 for more
information.

Interior Mirrors

Manual Rearview Mirror

Hold the inside rearview mirror in
the center to move it for a clearer
view behind your vehicle. Adjust
the mirror to avoid glare from the
headlamps behind you. Push the
tab forward for daytime use and pull
it for nighttime use.

Windows

WARNING

{

Leaving children, helpless adults,
or pets in a vehicle with the
windows closed is dangerous.
They can be overcome by
the extreme heat and suffer
permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Never leave a
child, a helpless adult, or a pet
alone in a vehicle, especially with
the windows closed in warm or
hot weather.

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Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011

The vehicle aerodynamics are
designed to improve fuel economy
performance. This may result in a
pulsing sound when either rear
window is down and the front
windows are up. To reduce the
sound, open either a front window
or the sunroof (if equipped).

Manual Windows

Use the window crank to open and
close each window.

The rear windows do not open fully.

Keys, Doors and Windows 2-15

Power Windows

WARNING

{

Leaving children in a vehicle with
the keys is dangerous for many
reasons. Children or others could
be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power
windows or other controls or even
make the vehicle move. The
windows will function and they
could be seriously injured or killed
if caught in the path of a closing
window. Do not leave keys in a
vehicle with children.

When there are children in the
rear seat use the window lockout
button to prevent unintentional
operation of the windows.

On vehicles with power windows,
the switches are on the driver door.
In addition, each passenger door
has a switch for its own window.

The ignition must be turned to ON/
RUN to use the power windows.
To lower the window, press and hold
the switch. To raise the window, lift
up on the switch. Release the
switch when the window reaches
the desired level.

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2-16 Keys, Doors and Windows

Window Lockout

The window lockout is with the
driver power window switches.

Press the lockout button to disable
the rear window switches. The
driver can still operate all of the
windows with the lockout on. Press
the lockout button again to return to
normal window operation.

Sun Visors

To block out glare, swing down the
sun visors. You can also remove
them from the center mount and
swing them to the side.

Visor Vanity Mirror

Vanity mirrors are on the back of the
sun visors. Swing down the sun
visor to expose the vanity mirror.

Roof

Sunroof

On vehicles with this feature, the
switch is on the headliner between
the sun visors.

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Keys, Doors and Windows 2-17

The sunroof only operates when the
ignition is turned to ON/RUN. The
sunroof can be opened to a vent
position or it can be opened all of
the way.

To open the sunroof to the vent
position, open the sunshade. Then
press and hold the driver side of the
switch. To close the sunroof, press
and hold the passenger side of the
switch until the sunroof reaches the
desired position.

To fully open the sunroof, press and
hold the passenger side of the
switch. The sunshade opens with
the sunroof. To close the sunroof,
press and hold the driver side of the
switch. The sunroof will stop if the
switch is released during operation.
Close the sunshade manually.

In both the vent and fully open
positions, the air flow can be
adjusted by pushing and holding the
switch until the sunroof moves to
the desired position.

The sunroof cannot be opened or
closed if the vehicle has an
electrical failure.

Dirt and debris may collect on the
sunroof seal or in the tracks. This
could cause an issue with sunroof
operation, noise, or plugging of the
water drainage system. Periodically
open the sunroof and remove any
obstacles or loose debris. Wipe the
sunroof seal and roof sealing area
using a clean cloth, mild soap, and
water. Do not remove grease from
sunroof.

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2-18 Keys, Doors and Windows

2 NOTES

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Seats and Restraints 3-1

Seats and Restraints

Head Restraints

Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Front Seats

Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Rear Seats

Rear Seats (Sedan) . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

Rear Seats (Hatchback) . . . . . . 3-8

Safety Belts

Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11

How to Wear Safety Belts

Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14

Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . 3-20

Safety Belt Use During

Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22

Safety Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . 3-22

Safety System Check . . . . . . . . 3-23

Safety Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-23

Replacing Safety Belt System

Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-23

Airbag System

Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24

Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . 3-26

When Should an Airbag

Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28

What Makes an Airbag

Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-29

How Does an Airbag

Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-29

What Will You See After an

Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30

Passenger Sensing

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-31

Servicing the Airbag-Equipped

Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36

Adding Equipment to the

Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . 3-36

Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . 3-37

Replacing Airbag System

Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-38

Child Restraints

Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38

Infants and Young

Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-41

Child Restraint Systems . . . . . 3-43

Where to Put the Restraint . . . 3-46
Lower Anchors and Tethers

for Children (LATCH

System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-48

Replacing LATCH System

Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-55

Securing Child Restraints

(Right Front Seat

Position) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-55

Securing Child Restraints

(Rear Seat Position) . . . . . . . . 3-59

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3-2 Seats and Restraints

Head Restraints

The front seats have adjustable
head restraints in the outboard
seating positions.

WARNING

{

With head restraints that are not
installed and adjusted properly,
there is a greater chance that
occupants will suffer a neck/
spinal injury in a crash. Do not
drive until the head restraints for
all occupants are installed and
adjusted properly.

Adjust the head restraint so that the
top of the restraint is at the same
height as the top of the occupant's
head. This position reduces the
chances of a neck injury in a crash.

Pull the head restraint up to raise it.
To lower the head restraint, press
the button, located on the top of the
seatback, and push the
restraint down.

Push down on the head restraint
after the button is released to make
sure that it is locked in place.

The rear seats have headrests that
are adjustable up and down.

The head restraints and headrests
are not designed to be removed.

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Seats and Restraints 3-3

Front Seats

Seat Adjustment

Manual Seats

WARNING

{

You can lose control of the
vehicle if you try to adjust a
manual driver seat while the
vehicle is moving. The sudden
movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a
pedal when you do not want to.
Adjust the driver seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.

To adjust a manual seat:

1. Lift the bar under the front of the
seat to unlock it.

2. Slide the seat to the desired
position and release the bar.

3. Try to move the seat back and
forth to be sure it is locked in
place.

Seat Height Adjuster

Turn the knob on the outboard side
of the seat to adjust the height of
the driver seat cushion.

Turn the knob forward to raise and
rearward to lower.

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3-4 Seats and Restraints

Lumbar Adjustment

Manual Lumbar

Move the adjustment lever on the
outboard side of the seatback up or
down to one of three positions to
increase or decrease the lumbar
support.

The highest position provides
the most support and the lowest
position provides the least support.

Reclining Seatbacks

WARNING

{

You can lose control of the
vehicle if you try to adjust a
manual driver seat while the
vehicle is moving. The sudden
movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a
pedal when you do not want to.
Adjust the driver seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.

WARNING

{

If either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked.

To recline a manual seatback:

1. Lift the lever.

2. Move the seatback to the
desired position, and then
release the lever to lock the
seatback in place.

3. Push and pull on the seatback to
make sure it is locked in place.

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Seats and Restraints 3-5

To return the seatback to the upright
position:

1. Lift the lever fully without
applying pressure to the
seatback, and the seatback will
return to the upright position.

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

WARNING

{

Sitting in a reclined position when
the vehicle is in motion can be
dangerous. Even when buckled
up, the safety belts cannot do
their job when reclined like this.

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

(Continued)

WARNING (Continued)

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

For proper protection when the
vehicle is in motion, have the
seatback upright. Then sit well
back in the seat and wear the
safety belt properly.

Do not have a seatback reclined if
the vehicle is moving.

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3-6 Seats and Restraints

Rear Seats

Rear Seats (Sedan)

Folding the Seatbacks

The rear seatbacks can be folded
down to increase cargo space.

Notice: Folding a rear seat with
the safety belts still fastened may
cause damage to the seat or the
safety belts. Always unbuckle the
safety belts and return them to
their normal stowed position
before folding a rear seat.

To fold down the seatbacks:

1. Remove the safety belt strap
from the safety belt guide by
pulling it through the slot.

2. Push the head restraints all the
way down.

3. Unlatch the center safety belt by
pressing the red button on the
buckle.

4. Detach the center safety belt
from the mini buckle by inserting
the ignition key into the slot in
the mini buckle, pressing the
release button, and allowing the
belt to retract.

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Seats and Restraints 3-7

5. Pull up the release knob located
on top of either of the rear
seatbacks.

6. Fold the rear seatback forward
and down.

Unfolding the Seatbacks

To return the seatback to the upright
position:

1. Hook the safety belts into the
safety belt guides.

2. Lift the seatback up and push it
to its original position.

WARNING

{

If either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked.

3. Push down and rearward firmly
on the top of the seatbacks until
it latches securely in the fully
upright position.

4. To reattach the center seat
safety belt to the mini buckle,
pull it from the retractor.

5. Push the latch plate at the end
of the safety belt strap into the
mini-buckle until the mechanism
clicks. Make sure the strap is not
twisted. The sliding latch plate
will face the front of the vehicle.

WARNING

{

A safety belt that is improperly
routed, not properly attached,
or twisted will not provide the
protection needed in a crash. The
person wearing the belt could be
seriously injured. After raising the
rear seatback, always check to
be sure that the safety belts are
properly routed and attached, and
are not twisted.

6. Insert the safety belt strap back
into the safety belt guide.

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3-8 Seats and Restraints

Rear Seats (Hatchback)

Folding the Rear Seats

The rear seats can be folded to
increase cargo space.

To fold the rear seats:

1. Lower the head restraints
completely.

2. Unlatch the center safety belt by
pressing the red button on the
buckle.

3. Detach the center safety belt
from the mini buckle by inserting
the ignition key into the slot in
the mini buckle, pressing the
release button, and allowing it to
retract.

4. Pull up the release knob, located
on the top of the seatbacks, and
fold the seatbacks forward
and down.

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Notice: Folding a rear seat with
the safety belts still fastened may
cause damage to the seat or the
safety belts. Always unbuckle the
safety belts and return them to
their normal stowed position
before folding a rear seat.

5. Move the safety belt buckles and
safety belt in the center seating
position out of the space
between the seatbacks and the
seat cushion so they are not in
the way as the seat is being
folded.

6. Firmly pull the release handles
on the rear side of the seat
cushion to unlock the seat
cushion.

7. Lift the seat cushion up and flip
it forward.

Seats and Restraints 3-9

8. Clip the hook to the front seat
head restraint to keep the rear
seat secure.

Unfolding the Seats

To return the rear seats to the
normal seating position:

1. Unclip the hook from the front
seat head restraint.

2. Position the buckles in back of
the seat latches when moving
the rear seats to the sitting
position.

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3-10 Seats and Restraints

Notice: Damage to the safety
belt buckle or rear seat locking
mechanism can occur if the
safety belt and buckles are
pinched under the rear seat
cushion. Do not place the safety
belt and buckles on the floor
under the rear seat cushion when
the rear seat is put back to the
sitting position.

3. Push the seat cushion down to
its original position until it
latches securely. Try to pull up
on the seat to make sure it is
locked in place.

4. Hook the safety belts in the
outboard seating positions into
the retaining clips.

WARNING

{

A safety belt that is improperly
routed, not properly attached,
or twisted will not provide the
protection needed in a crash. The
person wearing the belt could be
seriously injured. After raising the

(Continued)

WARNING (Continued)

rear seatback, always check to
be sure that the safety belts are
properly routed and attached, and
are not twisted.

5. Lift the seatbacks up and push
them back to their original
latched positions.

6. Unhook the safety belts in the
outboard seating positions from
the retaining clips.

7. Return the safety belt buckles
and the center seat safety belt to
their original position between
the rear seatback and the seat
cushion. Make sure the straps of
the safety belt and buckles are
not twisted.

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Seats and Restraints 3-11

8. To reattach the center seat
safety belt to the mini buckle,
pull it from the retractor.

WARNING

{

If either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked.

9. Push down and rearward firmly
on the top of the seatbacks until
they latch securely in the fully
upright position.

Safety Belts

This section of the manual
describes how to use safety belts
properly. It also describes some
things not to do with safety belts.

WARNING

{

Do not let anyone ride where a
safety belt cannot be worn
properly. In a crash, if you or your
passenger(s) are not wearing
safety belts, the injuries can be
much worse. You can hit things
inside the vehicle harder or be
ejected from the vehicle. You
and your passenger(s) can be
seriously injured or killed. In the
same crash, you might not be,
if you are buckled up. Always
fasten your safety belt, and check
that your passenger(s) are
restrained properly too.

WARNING

{

It is extremely dangerous to ride
in a cargo area, inside or outside
of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more
likely to be seriously injured or
killed. Do not allow people to ride
in any area of your vehicle that is
not equipped with seats and
safety belts. Be sure everyone in
the vehicle is in a seat and using
a safety belt properly.

This vehicle has indicators as a
reminder to buckle the safety belts.
See Safety Belt Reminders on
page 5‑11 for additional information.

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

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

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3-12 Seats and Restraints

A few crashes are mild, and some
crashes can be so serious that even
buckled up, a person would not
survive. But most crashes are in
between. In many of them, people
who buckle up can survive and
sometimes walk away. Without
safety belts they could have been
badly hurt or killed.

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

Why Safety Belts Work

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

Put someone on it.

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

Get it up to speed. Then stop the
vehicle. The rider does not stop.

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Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011

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

or the instrument panel...

Seats and Restraints 3-13

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 why safety
belts make such good sense.

Questions and Answers About
Safety Belts

Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle

after a crash if I am wearing a
safety belt?

A: You could be — whether you are

wearing a safety belt or not. But
your chance of being conscious
during and after an accident, so
you can unbuckle and get out, is
much greater if you are belted.
And you can unbuckle a safety
belt, even if you are
upside down.

or the safety belts!

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3-14 Seats and Restraints

Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why

should I have to wear safety
belts?

A: Airbags are supplemental

systems only; so they work with
safety belts — not instead of
them. Whether or not an airbag
is provided, all occupants still
have to buckle up to get the
most protection. That is true not
only in frontal collisions, but
especially in side and other
collisions.

Q: If I am a good driver, and I

never drive far from home,
why should I wear safety
belts?

A: You may be an excellent driver,

but if you are in a crash — even
one that is not your fault — you
and your passenger(s) can be
hurt. Being a good driver does
not protect you from things
beyond your control, such as
bad drivers.

Most accidents occur within
40 km (25 miles) of home. And
the greatest number of serious
injuries and deaths occur at
speeds of less than
65 km/h (40 mph).

Safety belts are for everyone.

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly

This section is only for people of
adult size.

Be aware that there are special
things to know about safety belts
and children. And there are different
rules for smaller children and
infants. If a child will be riding in the
vehicle, see Older Children on

page 3‑38 or Infants and Young
Children on page 3‑41. Follow those

rules for everyone's protection.

It is very important for all occupants
to buckle up. Statistics show that
unbelted people are hurt more often
in crashes than those who are
wearing safety belts.

Occupants who are not buckled up
can be thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash. And they can strike others in
the vehicle who are wearing safety
belts.

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Seats and Restraints 3-15

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

Sit up straight and always keep your
feet on the floor in front of you. The
lap part of the belt should be worn
low and snug on the hips, just
touching the thighs. In a crash, this
applies force to the strong pelvic
bones and you would be less likely
to slide under the lap belt. If you slid
under it, the belt would apply force
on your abdomen. This could cause

serious or even fatal injuries. The
shoulder belt should go over the
shoulder and across the chest.
These parts of the body are best
able to take belt 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 as much
protection this way.

WARNING

{

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

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3-16 Seats and Restraints

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The lap belt is too loose. It will

not give nearly as much
protection this way.

WARNING

{

You can be seriously hurt if the
lap belt is too loose. In a crash,
you could slide under the lap
belt and apply force on your
abdomen. This could cause
serious or even fatal injuries. The
lap belt should be worn low and
snug on the hips, just touching
the thighs.

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The belt is buckled in the wrong

buckle.

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Seats and Restraints 3-17

WARNING

{

You can be seriously injured if the
belt is buckled 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
the pelvic bones. This could
cause serious internal injuries.
Always buckle the belt into the
buckle nearest you.

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The belt is over an armrest.

WARNING

{

You can be seriously injured if the
belt goes over an armrest like
this. The belt would be much too
high. In a crash, you can slide
under the belt. The belt force
would then be applied on the
abdomen, not on the pelvic
bones, and that could cause
serious or fatal injuries. Be sure
the belt goes under the armrests.

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3-18 Seats and Restraints

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The shoulder belt is worn under

the arm. It should be worn over
the shoulder at all times.

WARNING

{

You can be seriously injured if
you wear the shoulder belt under
your arm. In a crash, your body
would move too far forward,
which would increase the chance
of head and neck injury. Also, the
belt would apply too much force
to the ribs, which are not as
strong as shoulder bones. You
could also severely injure internal
organs like your liver or spleen.
The shoulder belt should go over
the shoulder and across the
chest.

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The belt is behind the body.

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Seats and Restraints 3-19

WARNING

{

You can be seriously injured by
not wearing the lap-shoulder belt
properly. In a crash, you would
not be restrained by the shoulder
belt. Your body could move too
far forward increasing the chance
of head and neck injury. You
might also slide under the lap
belt. The belt force would then be
applied right on the abdomen.
That could cause serious or fatal
injuries. The shoulder belt should
go over the shoulder and across
the chest.

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The belt is twisted across

the body.

WARNING

{

You can be seriously injured by a
twisted belt. In a crash, you would
not have the full width of the belt
to spread impact forces. If a belt
is twisted, make it straight so it
can work properly, or ask your
dealer to fix it.

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3-20 Seats and Restraints

Lap-Shoulder Belt

All seating positions in the vehicle
have a lap-shoulder belt.

If you are using a rear seating
position with a detachable safety
belt and the safety belt is not
attached, see Rear Seats (Sedan)

on page 3‑6 or Rear Seats
(Hatchback) on page 3‑8 for

instruction on reconnecting the
safety belt to the mini-buckle.

The following instructions explain
how to wear a lap-shoulder belt
properly.

1. Adjust the seat, if the seat is
adjustable, so you can sit 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 belt across you very
quickly. If this happens, let the

belt go back slightly to unlock it.
Then pull the belt across you
more slowly.

If the shoulder portion of a
passenger belt is pulled out
all the way, the child restraint
locking feature may be engaged.
If this happens, let the belt go
back all the way and start again.

3. If the belt stops before it reaches
the buckle, tilt the latch plate and
keep pulling until it can be
buckled.

4. Push the latch plate into the
buckle until it clicks.

If the latch plate will not go fully
into the buckle, check if the
correct buckle is being used.

Pull up on the latch plate to
make sure it is secure. If the belt
is not long enough, see Safety
Belt Extender on page 3‑22.

Position the release button on
the buckle so that the safety belt
could be quickly unbuckled if
necessary.

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Seats and Restraints 3-21

5. If equipped with a shoulder belt
height adjuster, move it to the
height that is right for you. See
“Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster”
in this section for instructions on
use and important safety
information.

6. To make the lap part tight, pull
up on the shoulder belt.

It may be necessary to pull
stitching on the safety belt
through the latch plate to fully
tighten the lap belt on smaller
occupants.

To unlatch the belt, push the button
on the buckle. The belt should
return to its stowed position.

Before a door is closed, be sure the
belt is out of the way. If a door is
slammed against a safety belt,
damage can occur to both the
safety belt and the vehicle.

Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster

The vehicle has a shoulder belt
height adjuster for the driver and
right front passenger seating
positions.

Adjust the height so the shoulder
portion of the belt is on the shoulder
and not falling off of it. The belt
should be close to, but not
contacting, the neck. Improper
shoulder belt height adjustment
could reduce the effectiveness of
the safety belt in a crash. See How

to Wear Safety Belts Properly on
page 3‑14.

To move it down, press the release
button (A) and move the height
adjuster to the desired position.

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3-22 Seats and Restraints

After the adjuster is set to the
desired position, try to move it down
without pressing the release button
to make sure it has locked into
position.

Safety Belt Pretensioners

This vehicle has safety belt
pretensioners for front outboard
occupants. Although the safety belt
pretensioners cannot be seen, they
are part of the safety belt assembly.
They can help tighten the safety
belts during the early stages of a
moderate to severe frontal or near
frontal crash if the threshold
conditions for pretensioner
activation are met.

Pretensioners work only once. If the
pretensioners activate in a crash,
they will need to be replaced, and
probably other new parts for the
vehicle's safety belt system. See

Replacing Safety Belt System Parts
After a Crash on page 3‑23.

Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy

Safety belts work for everyone,
including pregnant women. Like all
occupants, they are more likely to
be seriously 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 the mother. When a safety
belt is worn properly, it is more likely
that the fetus will not be hurt in a
crash. For pregnant women, as for
anyone, the key to making safety
belts effective is wearing them
properly.

Safety Belt Extender

If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten
around you, you should use it.

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

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Seats and Restraints 3-23

Safety System Check

Now and then, check that the safety
belt reminder light, safety belts,
buckles, latch plates, retractors, and
anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts
that might keep a safety belt system
from doing its job. See your dealer
to have it repaired. Torn or frayed
safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under
impact forces. If a belt is torn or
frayed, get a new one right away.

Make sure the safety belt reminder
light is working. See Safety Belt
Reminders on page 5‑11 for more
information.

Keep safety belts clean and dry.
See Safety Belt Care on page 3‑23.

Safety Belt Care

Keep belts clean and dry.

WARNING

{

Do not bleach or dye safety belts.
It may severely weaken them. In
a crash, they might not be able to
provide adequate protection.
Clean safety belts only with mild
soap and lukewarm water.

Replacing Safety Belt System Parts After a Crash

WARNING

{

A crash can damage the safety
belt system in the vehicle.
A damaged safety belt system
may not properly protect the
person using it, resulting in
serious injury or even death in a
crash. To help make sure the
safety belt systems are working
properly after a crash, have them
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as
possible.

After a minor crash, replacement of
safety belts may not be necessary.
But the safety belt assemblies that
were used during any crash may
have been stressed or damaged.

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3-24 Seats and Restraints

See your dealer to have the safety
belt assemblies inspected or
replaced.

New parts and repairs may be
necessary even if the safety belt
system was not being used at the
time of the crash.

Have the safety belt pretensioners
checked if the vehicle has been in a
crash, or if the airbag readiness light
stays on after you start the vehicle
or while you are driving. See Airbag
Readiness Light on page 5‑12.

Airbag System

The vehicle has the following
airbags:

.

A frontal airbag for the driver.

.

A frontal airbag for the right front
passenger.

The vehicle may have the following
airbags:

.

A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the driver.

.

A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the right front
passenger.

All of the airbags in your vehicle will
have the word AIRBAG embossed
in the trim or on an attached label
near the deployment opening.

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

With seat-mounted side impact
airbags, the word AIRBAG will
appear on the side of the seatback
closest to the door.

Airbags are designed to supplement
the protection provided by safety
belts. Even though today's airbags
are also designed to help reduce
the risk of injury from the force of an
inflating bag, all airbags must inflate
very quickly to do their job.

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Seats and Restraints 3-25

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

WARNING

{

You can be severely injured or
killed in a crash if you are not
wearing your safety belt — even if
you have airbags. Airbags are
designed to work with safety
belts, but do not replace them.
Also, airbags are not designed to
deploy in every crash. In some
crashes safety belts are your only
restraint. See When Should an
Airbag Inflate? on page 3‑28.

(Continued)

WARNING (Continued)

Wearing your safety belt during a
crash helps reduce your chance
of hitting things inside the vehicle
or being ejected from it. Airbags
are “supplemental restraints” to
the safety belts. Everyone in your
vehicle should wear a safety belt
properly — whether or not there is
an airbag for that person.

WARNING

{

Airbags inflate with great force,
faster than the blink of an eye.
Anyone who is up against, or very
close to, any airbag when it
inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. Do not sit unnecessarily

(Continued)

WARNING (Continued)

close to the airbag, as you would
be if you were sitting on the edge
of your seat or leaning forward.
Safety belts help keep you in
position before and during a
crash. Always wear your safety
belt, even with airbags. The driver
should sit as far back as possible
while still maintaining control of
the vehicle.

Occupants should not lean on or
sleep against the door or side
windows in seating positions with
seat-mounted airbags.

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3-26 Seats and Restraints

WARNING

{

Children who are up against,
or very close to, any airbag
when it inflates can be seriously
injured or killed. Airbags plus
lap-shoulder belts offer protection
for adults and older children, but
not for young children and infants.
Neither the vehicle safety belt
system nor its airbag system is
designed for them. Young
children and infants need the
protection that a child restraint
system can provide. Always
secure children properly in the
vehicle. To read how, see Older

Children on page 3‑38 or Infants
and Young Children on
page 3‑41.

There is an airbag readiness light
on the instrument panel, which
shows the airbag symbol.

The system checks the airbag
electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an
electrical problem. See Airbag
Readiness Light on page 5‑12 for
more information.

Where Are the Airbags?

The driver's frontal airbag is in the
middle of the steering wheel.

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The right front passenger's frontal
airbag is in the instrument panel on
the passenger's side.

Driver Side Shown, Passenger

Side Similar

If your vehicle has seat-mounted
side impact airbags for the driver
and right front passenger, they are
in the side of the seatbacks closest
to the door.

Seats and Restraints 3-27

WARNING

{

If something is between an
occupant and an airbag, the
airbag might not inflate properly
or it might force the object into
that person causing severe injury
or even death. The path of an
inflating airbag must be kept
clear. Do not put anything
between an occupant and an
airbag, and do not attach or put
anything on the steering wheel
hub or on or near any other
airbag covering.

Do not use seat accessories
that block the inflation path of a
seat-mounted side impact airbag.

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3-28 Seats and Restraints

When Should an Airbag Inflate?

Frontal airbags are designed to
inflate in moderate to severe frontal
or near-frontal crashes to help
reduce the potential for severe
injuries mainly to the driver's or right
front passenger's head and chest.
However, they are only designed to
inflate if the impact exceeds a
predetermined deployment
threshold. Deployment thresholds
are used to predict how severe a
crash is likely to be in time for the
airbags to inflate and help restrain
the occupants.

Whether your frontal airbags will or
should deploy is not based on how
fast your vehicle is traveling.
It depends largely 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 airbags could inflate
at a different crash speed than if
the vehicle hits a moving object.

.

If the vehicle hits an object that
deforms, the airbags could
inflate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle hits an object
that does not deform.

.

If the vehicle hits a narrow object
(like a pole), the airbags could
inflate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle hits a wide
object (like a wall).

.

If the vehicle goes into an object
at an angle, the airbags could
inflate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle goes straight
into the object.

Thresholds can also vary with
specific vehicle design.

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

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

The vehicle may or may not have
seat-mounted side impact airbags.
See Airbag System on page 3‑24.
Seat-mounted side impact airbags
are intended to inflate in moderate
to severe side crashes.

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Seats and Restraints 3-29

Seat-mounted side impact airbags
will inflate if the crash severity is
above the system's designed
threshold level. The threshold level
can vary with specific vehicle
design.

Seat-mounted side impact airbags
are not intended to inflate in frontal
impacts, near-frontal impacts,
rollovers, or rear impacts.
A seat-mounted side impact airbag
is intended to deploy on the side of
the vehicle that is struck.

In any particular crash, no one
can say whether an airbag should
have inflated simply because of
the damage to a vehicle or because
of what the repair costs were.
For frontal airbags, inflation is
determined by what the vehicle hits,
the angle of the impact, and how
quickly the vehicle slows down. For
seat-mounted side impact airbags,
deployment is determined by the
location and severity of the side
impact.

What Makes an Airbag Inflate?

In a deployment event, the sensing
system sends an electrical signal
triggering a release of gas from the
inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the
airbag causing the bag to break out
of the cover and deploy. The inflator,
the airbag, and related hardware are
all part of the airbag module.

Frontal airbag modules are located
inside the steering wheel and
instrument panel. For vehicles with
seat-mounted side impact airbags,
there are airbag modules in the side
of the front seatbacks closest to
the door.

How Does an Airbag Restrain?

In moderate to severe frontal or
near frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering
wheel or the instrument panel. In
moderate to severe side collisions,
even belted occupants can contact
the inside of the vehicle.

Airbags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Frontal
airbags distribute the force of the
impact more evenly over the
occupant's upper body, stopping
the occupant more gradually.
Seat-mounted side impact airbags
distribute the force of the impact
more evenly over the occupant's
upper body.

But airbags would not help in
many types of collisions, primarily
because the occupant's motion is
not toward those airbags. See When

Should an Airbag Inflate? on
page 3‑28 for more information.

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3-30 Seats and Restraints

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

What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates?

After the frontal and seat-mounted
side impact airbags inflate, they
quickly deflate, so quickly that some
people may not even realize the
airbags inflated. Some components
of the airbag module may be hot for
several minutes. For location of the
airbag modules, see What Makes
an Airbag Inflate? on page 3‑29.

The parts of the airbag that come
into contact with you may be warm,
but not too hot to touch. There may
be some smoke and dust coming
from the vents in the deflated
airbags. Airbag inflation does not
prevent the driver from seeing out of
the windshield or being able to steer
the vehicle, nor does it prevent
people from leaving the vehicle.

WARNING

{

When an airbag inflates, there
may be dust in the air. This dust
could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of
asthma or other breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as
it is safe to do so. If you have
breathing problems but cannot
get out of the vehicle after an
airbag inflates, then get fresh air
by opening a window or a door.
If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek
medical attention.

The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors, turn
the interior lamps on, turn on the
hazard warning flashers, and shut

off the fuel system after the airbags
inflate. You can lock the doors, turn
the interior lamps off, and turn the
hazard warning flashers off by using
the controls for those features.

WARNING

{

A crash severe enough to inflate
the airbags may have also
damaged important functions in
the vehicle, such as the fuel
system, brake and steering
systems, etc. Even if the vehicle
appears to be drivable after a
moderate crash, there may be
concealed damage that could
make it difficult to safely operate
the vehicle.

Use caution if you should attempt
to restart the engine after a crash
has occurred.

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

.

Airbags are designed to inflate
only once. After an airbag
inflates, you will need some new
parts for the airbag system.
If you do not get them, the
airbag system will not be there
to help protect you in another
crash. A new system will include
airbag modules and possibly
other parts. The service manual
for your vehicle covers the need
to replace other parts.

.

The vehicle has a crash sensing
and diagnostic module which
records information after a
crash. See Vehicle Data

Recording and Privacy on
page 13‑15 and Event Data
Recorders on page 13‑15.

.

Let only qualified technicians
work on the airbag system.
Improper service can mean that
the airbag system will not work
properly. See your dealer for
service.

Passenger Sensing System

The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system for the right front
passenger position. The passenger
airbag status indicator will be
visible, near the clock, located in
the center of the instrument panel,
when the vehicle is started.

Seats and Restraints 3-31

United States

Canada

The words PASSENGER AIRBAG
ON and PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
or the symbols for on and off will be
visible, during the system check.

When the system check is
complete, either the words
PASSENGER AIRBAG ON and
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF or the
symbol for on and off will be visible.
See Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator on page 5‑12.

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3-32 Seats and Restraints

The passenger sensing system will
turn off the right front passenger
frontal airbag and seat-mounted
side impact airbag (if equipped)
under certain conditions. The driver
airbags are not affected by the
passenger sensing system.

The passenger sensing system
works with sensors that are part of
the right front passenger seat. The
sensors are designed to detect the
presence of a properly-seated
occupant and determine if the right
front passenger frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag
(if equipped) should be enabled
(may inflate) or not.

According to accident statistics,
children are safer when properly
secured in a rear seat in the correct
child restraint for their weight
and size.

We recommend that children be
secured in a rear seat, including:
an infant or a child riding in a
rear-facing child restraint; a child
riding in a forward-facing child seat;

an older child riding in a booster
seat; and children, who are large
enough, using safety belts.

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

WARNING

{

A child in a rear-facing child
restraint can be seriously injured
or killed if the right front
passenger airbag inflates. This is
because the back of the
rear-facing child restraint would
be very close to the inflating
airbag. A child in a forward-facing
child restraint can be seriously
injured or killed if the right front
passenger airbag inflates and the
passenger seat is in a forward
position.

(Continued)

WARNING (Continued)

Even if the passenger sensing
system has turned off the right
front passenger frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag
(if equipped), no system is
fail-safe. No one can guarantee
that an airbag will not deploy
under some unusual
circumstance, even though
the airbag(s) are off.

Secure rear-facing child restraints
in a rear seat, even if the
airbag(s) are off. If you secure a
forward-facing child restraint in
the right front seat, always move
the front passenger seat as far
back as it will go. It is better to
secure the child restraint in a
rear seat.

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Seats and Restraints 3-33

The passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the right front
passenger frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag
(if equipped) 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 present in a child
restraint.

.

The system determines that a
small child is present in a
booster seat.

.

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

.

The right front passenger seat is
occupied by a smaller person,
such as a child who has
outgrown child restraints.

.

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

When the passenger sensing
system has turned off the right
front passenger frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag
(if equipped), the off indicator will
light and stay lit to remind you that
the airbag or airbags are off. See

Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
on page 5‑12.

The passenger sensing system is
designed to enable (may inflate) the
right front passenger frontal airbag
and seat-mounted side impact
airbag (if equipped) anytime the
system senses that a person of
adult size is sitting properly in the
right front passenger seat. When the
passenger sensing system has
allowed the airbag or airbags to be
enabled, the on symbol will light and
stay lit to remind you that the airbag
or airbags are active.

For some children who have
outgrown child restraints and for
very small adults, the passenger
sensing system may or may not turn

off the right front passenger frontal
airbag and seat-mounted side
impact airbag (if equipped),
depending upon the person's
seating posture and body build.
Everyone in your vehicle who
has outgrown child restraints
should wear a safety belt
properly — whether or not there
is an airbag for that person.

WARNING

{

If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others,
have the vehicle serviced right
away. See Airbag Readiness
Light on page 5‑12 for more
information, including important
safety information.

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If the On Indicator is Lit for a
Child Restraint

If a child restraint has been installed
and the on indicator is lit:

1. Turn the vehicle off.

2. Remove the child restraint from
the vehicle.

3. Remove any additional items
from the seat such as blankets,
cushions, seat covers, seat
heaters, or seat massagers.

4. Reinstall the child restraint
following the directions
provided by the child restraint
manufacturer and refer to

Securing Child Restraints (Right
Front Seat Position) on
page 3‑55 or Securing Child
Restraints (Rear Seat Position)
on page 3‑59.

5. If, after reinstalling the child
restraint and restarting the
vehicle, the on indicator is still lit,
turn the vehicle off. Then slightly
recline the vehicle seatback and
adjust the seat cushion,
if adjustable, to make sure that
the vehicle seatback is not
pushing the child restraint into
the seat cushion.

Also make sure the child
restraint is not trapped under the
vehicle head restraint. If this
happens, adjust the head
restraint. See Head Restraints
on page 3‑2.

6. Restart the vehicle.

If the on indicator is still lit, secure
the child in the child restraint in a
rear seat position in the vehicle, and
check with your dealer.

If the Off Indicator is Lit for an
Adult‐Size Occupant

If a person of adult-size is sitting in
the right front passenger seat, but
the off indicator is lit, it could be
because that person is not sitting
properly in the seat. If this happens,
use the following steps to allow the

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system to detect that person and
enable the right front passenger
frontal airbag and seat-mounted
side impact airbag (if equipped):

1. Turn the vehicle off.

2. Remove any additional material
from the seat, such as blankets,
cushions, seat covers, seat
heaters, or seat massagers.

3. Place the seatback in the fully
upright position.

4. Have the person sit upright in
the seat, centered on the seat
cushion, with legs comfortably
extended.

5. Restart the vehicle and have the
person remain in this position for
two to three minutes after the on
indicator is lit.

Additional Factors Affecting
System Operation

Safety belts help keep the
passenger in position on the seat
during vehicle maneuvers and
braking, which helps the passenger
sensing system maintain the
passenger airbag status. See
“Safety Belts” and “Child Restraints”
in the Index for additional
information about the importance
of proper restraint use.

A thick layer of additional material,
such as a blanket or cushion,
or aftermarket equipment such
as seat covers, seat heaters, and
seat massagers can affect how
well the passenger sensing system
operates. We recommend that
you not use seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment other than
any that GM has approved for your
specific vehicle. See Adding

Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3‑36 for more

information about modifications that
can affect how the system operates.

WARNING

{

Stowing of articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.

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Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle

Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are parts
of the airbag system in several
places around the vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have
information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system. To
purchase a service manual, see

Service Publications Ordering
Information on page 13‑12.

WARNING

{

For up to 10 seconds after the
ignition is turned off and the
battery is disconnected, an airbag
can still inflate during improper
service. You can be injured if you
are close to an airbag when it
inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and
make sure the person performing
work for you is qualified to do so.

Adding Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle

Q: Is there anything I might add

to or change about the vehicle
that could keep the airbags
from working properly?

A: Yes. If you add things that

change your vehicle's frame,
bumper system, height, front end
or side sheet metal, they may
keep the airbag system from
working properly. Changing or
moving any parts of the front
seats, safety belts, the airbag
sensing and diagnostic module,
steering wheel, instrument
panel, front sensors, or airbag
wiring can affect the operation of
the airbag system.

In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system for
the right front passenger
position, which includes
sensors that are part of the
passenger seat. The passenger

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sensing system may not operate
properly if the original seat trim
is replaced with non-GM covers,
upholstery or trim, or with
GM covers, upholstery or trim
designed for a different vehicle.
Any object, such as an
aftermarket seat heater or a
comfort enhancing pad or
device, installed under or on top
of the seat fabric, could also
interfere with the operation of
the passenger sensing system.
This could either prevent proper
deployment of the passenger
airbag(s) or prevent the
passenger sensing system
from properly turning off the
passenger airbag(s). See

Passenger Sensing System on
page 3‑31.

If you have any questions
about this, you should contact
Customer Assistance before you
modify your vehicle. The phone
numbers and addresses for

Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in this
manual. See Customer

Satisfaction Procedure on
page 13‑1.

Q: Because I have a disability,

I have to get my vehicle
modified. How can I find out
whether this will affect my
airbag system?

A: If you have questions, call

Customer Assistance. The
phone numbers and addresses
for Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in this
manual. See Customer

Satisfaction Procedure on
page 13‑1.

In addition, your dealer and the
service manual have information
about the location of the airbag
sensors, sensing and diagnostic
module and airbag wiring.

Airbag System Check

The airbag system does not need
regularly scheduled maintenance or
replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. See

Airbag Readiness Light on
page 5‑12 for more information.

Notice: If an airbag covering is
damaged, opened, or broken, the
airbag may not work properly.
Do not open or break the airbag
coverings. If there are any
opened or broken airbag covers,
have the airbag covering and/or
airbag module replaced. For the
location of the airbag modules,
see What Makes an Airbag
Inflate? on page 3‑29. See your
dealer for service.

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Replacing Airbag System Parts After a Crash

WARNING

{

A crash can damage the airbag
systems in the vehicle.
A damaged airbag system
may not work properly and
may not protect you and your
passenger(s) in a crash, resulting
in serious injury or even death.
To help make sure the airbag
systems are working properly
after a crash, have them
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as
possible.

If an airbag inflates, you will need to
replace airbag system parts. See
your dealer for service.

If the airbag readiness light stays on
after the vehicle is started or comes
on when you are driving, the airbag
system may not work properly. Have
the vehicle serviced right away.
See Airbag Readiness Light on
page 5‑12 for more information.

Child Restraints

Older Children

Older children who have outgrown
booster seats should wear the
vehicle's safety belts.

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The manufacturer's instructions that
come with the booster seat, state
the weight and height limitations for
that booster. Use a booster seat
with a lap-shoulder belt until the
child passes the below fit test:

.

Sit all the way back on the seat.
Do the knees bend at the seat
edge? If yes, continue. If no,
return to the booster seat.

.

Buckle the lap-shoulder belt.
Does the shoulder belt rest on
the shoulder? If yes, continue.
If no, then return to the
booster seat.

.

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

.

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

Q: What is the proper way to

wear safety belts?

A: An older child should wear a

lap-shoulder belt and get the
additional restraint a shoulder
belt can provide. The shoulder
belt should not cross the face or
neck. The lap belt should fit
snugly below the hips, just
touching the top of the thighs.
This applies belt force to the
child's pelvic bones in a crash.
It should never be worn over the
abdomen, which could cause
severe or even fatal internal
injuries in a crash.

According to accident statistics,
children and infants are safer
when properly restrained in a child
restraint system or infant restraint
system secured in a rear seating
position.

In a crash, children who are not
buckled up can strike other people
who are buckled up, or can be
thrown out of the vehicle. Older
children need to use safety belts
properly.

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WARNING

{

Never do this.

Never allow two children to wear
the same safety belt. The safety
belt can not properly spread the
impact forces. In a crash, the two
children can be crushed together
and seriously injured. A safety
belt must be used by only one
person at a time.

WARNING

{

Never do this.

Never allow a child to wear the
safety belt with the shoulder belt
behind their back. A child can be
seriously injured by not wearing
the lap-shoulder belt properly. In a
crash, the child would not be
restrained by the shoulder belt.

(Continued)

WARNING (Continued)

The child could move too far
forward increasing the chance of
head and neck injury. The child
might also slide under the lap
belt. The belt force would then be
applied right on the abdomen.
That could cause serious or fatal
injuries. The shoulder belt should
go over the shoulder and across
the chest.

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Infants and Young Children

Everyone in a vehicle needs
protection! This includes infants
and all other children. Neither the
distance traveled nor the age and
size of the traveler changes the
need, for everyone, to use safety
restraints. In fact, the law in every
state in the United States and in
every Canadian province says
children up to some age must be
restrained while in a vehicle.

WARNING

{

Children can be seriously injured
or strangled if a shoulder belt is
wrapped around their neck and
the safety belt continues to
tighten. Never leave children
unattended in a vehicle and never
allow children to play with the
safety belts.

Airbags plus lap‐shoulder belts offer
protection for adults and older
children, but not for young children
and infants. Neither the vehicle's
safety belt system nor its airbag
system is designed for them. Every
time infants and young children ride
in vehicles, they should have the
protection provided by appropriate
child restraints.

Children who are not restrained
properly can strike other people,
or can be thrown out of the vehicle.

WARNING

{

Never do this.

Never hold an infant or a child
while riding in a vehicle. Due to
crash forces, an infant or a child
will become so heavy it is not
possible to hold it during a crash.

(Continued)

WARNING (Continued)

For example, in a crash at only
40 km/h (25 mph), a 5.5 kg (12 lb)
infant will suddenly become a
110 kg (240 lb) force on a person's
arms. An infant should be
secured in an appropriate
restraint.

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WARNING

{

Never do this.

Children who are up against,
or very close to, any airbag when
it inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. Never put a rear-facing
child restraint in the right front
seat. Secure a rear-facing child
restraint in a rear seat. It is also
better to secure a forward-facing
child restraint in a rear seat. If you
must secure a forward-facing
child restraint in the right front
seat, always move the front
passenger seat as far back as it
will go.

Q: What are the different types of

add-on child restraints?

A: Add-on child restraints, which

are purchased by the vehicle
owner, are available in four basic
types. Selection of a particular
restraint should take into
consideration not only the child's
weight, height, and age but also
whether or not the restraint will
be compatible with the motor
vehicle in which it will be used.

For most basic types of child
restraints, there are many
different models available. When
purchasing a child restraint, be
sure it is designed to be used in
a motor vehicle. If it is, the
restraint will have a label saying
that it meets federal motor
vehicle safety standards.

The restraint manufacturer's
instructions that come with the
restraint state the weight and
height limitations for a particular
child restraint. In addition, there
are many kinds of restraints
available for children with
special needs.

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WARNING

{

To reduce the risk of neck and
head injury during a crash, infants
need complete support. This is
because an infant's neck is not
fully developed and its head
weighs so much compared with
the rest of its body. In a crash,
an infant in a rear-facing child
restraint settles into the restraint,
so the crash forces can be
distributed across the strongest
part of an infant's body, the back
and shoulders. Infants should
always be secured in rear-facing
child restraints.

WARNING

{

A young child's hip bones are still
so small that the vehicle's regular
safety belt may not remain low
on the hip bones, as it should.
Instead, it may settle up around
the child's abdomen. In a crash,
the belt would apply force on a
body area that is unprotected by
any bony structure. This alone
could cause serious or fatal
injuries. To reduce the risk of
serious or fatal injuries during a
crash, young children should
always be secured in appropriate
child restraints.

Child Restraint Systems

(A) Rear‐Facing Infant Seat

A rear-facing infant seat (A)
provides restraint with the seating
surface against the back of the
infant.

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

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(B) Forward-Facing Child Seat

A forward-facing child seat (B)
provides restraint for the child's
body with the harness.

(C) Booster Seats

A booster seat (C) is a child restraint
designed to improve the fit of the
vehicle's safety belt system.
A booster seat can also help a child
to see out the window.

Securing an Add-On Child
Restraint in the Vehicle

WARNING

{

A child can be seriously injured
or killed in a crash if the child
restraint is not properly secured in
the vehicle. Secure the child
restraint properly in the vehicle
using the vehicle safety belt or
LATCH system, following the
instructions that came with that
child restraint and the instructions
in this manual.

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To help reduce the chance of injury,
the child restraint must be secured
in the vehicle. Child restraint
systems must be secured in vehicle
seats by lap belts or the lap belt
portion of a lap-shoulder belt, or by
the LATCH system. See Lower

Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH System) on page 3‑48 for

more information. Children can be
endangered in a crash if the child
restraint is not properly secured in
the vehicle.

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

Keep in mind that an unsecured
child restraint can move around in a
collision or sudden stop and injure
people in the vehicle. Be sure to
properly secure any child restraint in
the vehicle — even when no child
is in it.

In some areas, Certified Child
Passenger Safety Technicians
(CPSTs) are available to inspect
and demonstrate how to correctly
use and install child restraints. In
the U.S., refer to the National
Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) website to
locate the nearest child safety seat
inspection station. For CPST
availability in Canada, check with
Transport Canada or the Provincial
Ministry of Transportation office.

Securing the Child Within the
Child Restraint

WARNING

{

A child can be seriously injured
or killed in a crash if the child
is not properly secured in the
child restraint. Secure the child
properly following the instructions
that came with that child restraint.

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Where to Put the Restraint

According to accident statistics,
children and infants are safer
when properly restrained in a child
restraint system or infant restraint
system secured in a rear seating
position.

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

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

WARNING

{

A child in a rear-facing child
restraint can be seriously
injured or killed if the right front
passenger airbag inflates. This
is because the back of the
rear-facing child restraint would
be very close to the inflating
airbag. A child in a forward-facing
child restraint can be seriously
injured or killed if the right front
passenger airbag inflates and the
passenger seat is in a forward
position.

(Continued)

WARNING (Continued)

Even if the passenger sensing
system has turned off the right
front passenger frontal airbag, no
system is fail-safe. No one can
guarantee that an airbag will not
deploy under some unusual
circumstance, even though it is
turned off.

Secure rear-facing child
restraints in a rear seat, even if
the airbag is off. If you secure a
forward-facing child restraint in
the right front seat, always move
the front passenger seat as far
back as it will go. It is better to
secure the child restraint in a
rear seat.

See Passenger Sensing System
on page 3‑31 for additional
information.

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

There are a couple of things you
need to know about using child
restraints in the rear seat:

If you use a child restraint in the
center rear seating position (A), the
safety belts and the child restraint
LATCH anchors for the rear outside
seating positions (B) will not be
accessible.

Therefore, you will not be able to
secure child restraints or have
passengers ride in the rear outside
seating positions.

If you use two child restraints (A) in
the rear outside seating positions,
the safety belt for the center rear
seat position (B) will not be
accessible.

Therefore, you will not be able to
secure a child restraint or have a
passenger ride in the center rear
seating position.

Child restraints and booster seats
vary considerably in size, and some
may fit in certain seating positions
better than others. Always make
sure the child restraint is properly
secured.

Depending on where you place the
child restraint and the size of the
child restraint, you may not be able
to access adjacent safety belt
assemblies or LATCH anchors for
additional passengers or child
restraints. Adjacent seating
positions should not be used if the
child restraint prevents access to or
interferes with the routing of the
safety belt.

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

Keep in mind that an unsecured
child restraint can move around in a
collision or sudden stop and injure
people in the vehicle. Be sure to
properly secure any child restraint in
your vehicle — even when no child
is in it.

Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH System)

The LATCH system holds a child
restraint during driving or in a crash.
This system is designed to make
installation of a child restraint easier.
The LATCH system uses anchors in
the vehicle and attachments on the
child restraint that are made for use
with the LATCH system.

Make sure that a LATCH-compatible
child restraint is properly installed
using the anchors, or use the
vehicle's safety belts to secure the
restraint, following the instructions
that came with that restraint, and
also the instructions in this manual.

When installing a child restraint with
a top tether, you must also use
either the lower anchors or the
safety belts to properly secure the
child restraint. A child restraint must
never be installed using only the top
tether and anchor.

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

Not all vehicle seating positions or
child restraints have lower anchors
and attachments or top tether
anchors and 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 seating position that will
accommodate a child restraint with
lower attachments (B).

Top Tether Anchor

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

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

Some child restraints that have a
top tether are designed for 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-facing child restraints have
a top tether, and that the tether be
attached. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for your child
restraint.

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

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Lower Anchor and Top Tether
Anchor Locations

i (Top Tether Anchor): Seating

positions with top tether anchors.

j (Lower Anchor): Seating

positions with two lower anchors.

Hatchback models may have
zippers over the lower anchor
areas. If so, unzip the seat cover
below the labels to access each
lower anchor.

To assist you in locating the lower
anchors, each seating position with
lower anchors has two labels, near
the crease between the seatback
and the seat cushion.

To assist you in locating the top
tether anchors, the top tether anchor
symbol is located on the cover.