Chevrolet Suburban 1999 Owner's Manual

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The 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban Owner’s Manual

1-1 Seats and Restraint Systems

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

2-1 Features and Controls

This section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.

3-1 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems

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

4-1 Your Driving and the Road

Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.

5-1 Problems on the Road

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

6-1 Service and Appearance Care

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

7-1 Maintenance Schedule

This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.

8-1 Customer Assistance Information

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

9-1 Index

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

-10.

i

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem and the
name TAHOE and the name SUBURBAN are registered
trademarks of General Motors Corporation.

This manual includes the latest information at the time it
was printed. We reserve the right to make changes in the
product after that time without further notice. For
vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name
“General Motors of Canada Limited” for Chevrolet
Motor Division whenever it appears in this manual.

Please keep this manual in your vehicle, so it will be
there if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you
sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the new
owner can use it.

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We support voluntary
technician certification.

For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:

Aux propriétaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous

procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en français chez
votre concessionaire ou au:

DGN Marketing Services Ltd.
1577 Meyerside Dr.
Mississauga, Ontario L5T 1B9

Litho in U.S.A.
C9909 B First Edition All Rights Reserved

E

Copyright General Motors Corporation 1998

ii

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How to Use this Manual

Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning
to end when they first receive their new vehicle. If you
do this, it will help you learn about the features and
controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find
that pictures and words work together to explain
things quickly.

Index

A good place to look for what you need is the Index in
back of the manual. It’s an alphabetical list of what’s in
the manual, and the page number where you’ll find it.

Safety Warnings and Symbols

You will find a number of safety cautions in this book.
We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you
about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore
the warning.

CAUTION:

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

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

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You will also find a circle
with a slash through it in
this book. This safety
symbol means “Don’t,”
“Don’t do this” or “Don’t
let this happen.”

Vehicle Damage Warnings

Also, in this book you will find these notices:

NOTICE:

These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.

In the notice area, we tell you about something that can
damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage would
not be covered by your warranty, and it could be costly.
But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid
the damage.

When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors or
in different words.

You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.

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Vehicle Symbols

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

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For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:

CAUTION

POSSIBLE

INJURY

PROTECT

EYES BY

SHIELDING

CAUSTIC
BATTERY

ACID COULD

CAUSE

BURNS

AVOID

SPARKS OR

FLAMES

SPARK OR

FLAME

COULD

EXPLODE

BATTERY

These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:

DOOR LOCK

UNLOCK

FASTEN

SEAT

BELTS

POWER

WINDOW

AIR BAG

These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:

MASTER

LIGHTING

SWITCH

TURN

SIGNALS

PARKING

LAMPS

HAZARD
WARNING
FLASHER

DAYTIME

RUNNING

LAMPS

FOG LAMPS

These symbols
are on some of
your controls:

WINDSHIELD

WIPER

WINDSHIELD

WASHER

WINDSHIELD

DEFROSTER

REAR

WINDOW

DEFOGGER

VENTILATING

FAN

These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:

ENGINE

COOLANT

TEMP

BATTERY

CHARGING

SYSTEM

BRAKE

COOLANT

ENGINE OIL

PRESSURE

ANTI-LOCK

BRAKES

Here are some
other symbols
you may see:

FUSE

LIGHTER

HORN

SPEAKER

FUEL

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Model Reference

This manual covers these models:

2-Door Utility 4-Door Utility

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Suburban

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Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems

Here you’ll find information about the seats in your vehicle and how to use your safety belts properly. You can also
learn about some things you should not do with air bags and safety belts.

1

-2 Seats and Seat Controls

1

-14 Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone

-19 Here Are Questions Many People Ask About

1

Safety Belts

-20 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly

1
1

-20 Driver Position

1

-28 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy

-29 Right Front Passenger Position

1
1

-29 Air Bag System

-36 Center Passenger Position

1

-- and the Answers

-38 Rear Seat Passengers

1
1

-41 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children

and Small Adults

1-43 Children

-46 Child Restraints

1
1

-60 Larger Children

1

-63 Safety Belt Extender

-63 Checking Your Restraint Systems

1
1

-63 Replacing Restraint System Parts After

a Crash

1-

1-1

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Seats and Seat Controls

This section tells you about the seats -- how to adjust
them and fold them up and down. It also tells you about
reclining front seatbacks and head restraints.

Manual Front Seat

CAUTION:

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

If your vehicle has a manual
bucket, split bench or full
bench seat, you can adjust it
with this lever at the front
of the seat.

Slide the lever at the front of the seat toward the
passenger’s side to unlock it. Using your body, slide the
seat to where you want it. Then, release the lever and try
to move the seat with your body to make sure the seat is
locked into place.

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Power Seat(s) (If Equipped)

If your vehicle has a power seat on the driver’s or
passenger’s side, you can adjust it with these controls at
the outside edge of the seat. The switch is located on the
side of the seat, next to the door.

You can use the round center knob to move the seat to
where you want it. T o raise the seat, move the knob up.
T o lower the seat, move the knob down. To move the
seat forward, move the knob toward the front of the
vehicle. T o move the seat rearward, move the knob
toward the rear of the vehicle.

You can also raise and lower the front and rear of the seat.
To raise the front of the seat, move the front lever up. To
lower the front of the seat, move the front lever down. To

raise the rear of the seat, move the rear lever up. To lower
the rear of the seat, move the rear lever down.

The switch located at the front of this control panel
is for the power lumbar adjustment, which is
explained next.

Power Lumbar Adjustment (If Equipped)

If you have power lumbar
adjustment, you can
increase or decrease lumbar
support in an area of the
lower seatback.

T o increase support, press and hold the front of the
rocker switch. Let go of the switch when the lower
seatback reaches the desired level of support.

T o decrease support, press and hold the rear of the
rocker switch. Let go of the switch when the lower
seatback reaches the desired level of support.

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Heated Front Seats (If Equipped)

The control for the driver’s side heated seat is located on
the left side of the seat. The control for the right front
passenger is located on the right side of the passenger’s
seat. Move the switch forward to MED or HIGH
temperature to turn on the heating elements in the seat.
The right front passenger’s safety belt must be buckled
before the heating elements in that seat will operate.
T o turn the heated seats off, move the switch rearward
to OFF.

Reclining Front Seatbacks

T o adjust the seatback, move the lever rearward.
Release the lever to lock the seatback where you want it.

Move the lever again rearward and the seatback will go
to an upright position.

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But don’t have a seatback reclined if your vehicle
is moving.

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CAUTION:

Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is
in motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckle
up, your safety belts can’t do their job when
you’re reclined like this.

The shoulder belt can’t do its job because it
won’t 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.

The lap belt can’t 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 your safety
belt properly.

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Head Restraints

Slide the head restraint up or down so that the top of the
restraint is closest to the top of your ears. This position
reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash.

Seatback Latches (2-Door Utility)

CAUTION:

If the seatback isn’t locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is
locked.

The front seatback folds forward to let you access the
rear of the vehicle.

T o fold a seatback forward,
pull this lever forward and
tilt the seatback forward.

T o return the seatback to the upright position, just push
the seatback rearward until it latches.

After returning the seatback to its upright position, pull
the seatback forward to make sure it is locked.

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Easy Entry Seat (2-Door Utility)

CAUTION:

If any easy entry seat isn’t locked, it can move. In
a sudden stop or crash, the person sitting there
could be injured. And, even if there is no crash or
sudden stop, a driver sitting in an unlocked easy
entry seat could be startled by the sudden
movement and hit the wrong control or pedal,
causing an accident. After you’ve used it, be sure
to push rearward on any easy entry seat to be
sure it is locked.

The driver and passenger front bucket seat and the 60/40
split bench seat of your vehicle have an easy entry
feature. This makes it easy to get in and out of the
rear seat. On vehicles equipped with the power driver’s
seat, only the passenger’s front seat will have the easy
entry feature.

T o operate the seat, pull
forward on the top of the
lever located at the side of
the seatback, and tilt the
seatback forward toward
the front of the vehicle.

When you do, the seat bottom will release. Just pull or
push the seat forward until it stops.

T o return the seat to its regular position, return the
seatback to its upright position, then push the whole seat
rearward until it latches.

After returning the seat to its regular position, try to
move the seat with your body, to make sure the seat is
locked into place.

1-7

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Rear Seats

CAUTION:

If a head restraint is not installed on the seatback
or stored in the vehicle properly, it could be
thrown about the vehicle in a crash or sudden
maneuver. People in the vehicle could be injured.
Remove the head restraints only when you need
to fold the seat, and be sure that the head
restraints are stored securely in the storage bag
and placed under the rear seat. When the seat is
returned to the passenger position, be sure the
head restraints are installed properly.

Folding the Rear Seat (2-Door Models)

If your vehicle has a rear seat, the seat can be folded flat
for more cargo space. Before folding, make sure that
nothing is under or in front of the seat. When the seat is
folded, it will lay almost flat on the floor.

When folding the seat, first
remove the head restraints.
Push the button at the top of
the seatback and slide the
head restraint out of the
height

-adjust tubes.

Detach the storage bag from the back of the rear seat.
Then, put the head restraints in the storage bag and place
the bag in the rear seat footwell, under the seat.

1-8

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T o fold the seat, pull on the release handle at the bottom
of the seat cushion marked RELEASE.

When you release the seat cushion, the seatback is
automatically released. Pull the loop on the seatback
forward and fold the seatback onto the seat cushion.

T o return the seat to the passenger position, just lift up
on the seatback and push it rearward until it latches.

After returning the seat to the passenger position, pull
forward on the seatback to make sure it is locked into
place. Also, return the safety belts and head restraints to
their original positions, so they will be available for rear
seat passengers to use.

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Folding Rear Seats (4-Door Models)

The rear seat of the 4
a Suburban may have a 60/40 seat, either side may be
folded down to give you more cargo space.

Before folding, place the latch portion of the center
safety belt in the center armrest. That way, the center
safety belt will be out of the way when the seat is folded
and also will be easily available for passengers to use
when the seat is returned to the passenger position. Also,
make sure that nothing is under or in front of the seat.
When the seat is folded, it will lay flat on the floor.

Set the head restraints aside for now. You will store
them in their proper position after you are done folding
the seat.

-Door Utility or the second seat of

When folding the seat,
first remove the head
restraints. Push the release
buttons at the bottom of
each head restraint
height

-adjust post and slide

the head restraint out of the
height-adjust tubes.

T o fold the seat, pull up on
the strap loop at the rear of
the outer edge of the seat
cushion. Then, pull the
seat cushion up and fold
it forward.

After folding the seat cushion fully forward, pull the
seatback forward and fold the seatback down until it
is flat.

Then, store the head
restraints by sliding them
into the rear of the seat
cushion. Make sure the
posts go in all the way.

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On Suburban models, to
create a load floor, release
the panels from the seatback
by pushing rearward on the
latch and fold them out to
cover the rear seat footwell.

T o return the seat to the passenger position on a
Suburban, lift the load floor panels and latch them into
the seatback. On both models, remove the head
restraints by sliding them out of the seat cushion. Lift
the seatback up and push rearward all the way. Then,
lower the seat cushion until it latches in position.

After returning the seat to the passenger position, return
the head restraints to the top of the seatback. Pull
forward on the seatback and up on the seat cushion to
make sure that the seat is securely in place.

If the latch plate portion of the center safety belt was put
in the center armrest when the seat was folded, take the
latch plate portion out and place it on the seat. That way,
the center position safety belt will be available for the
center rear seat passenger to use.

Entry to the Rear Seat (Suburban Second Seat)

The right side of the rear 60/40 split folding bench seat
has an easy entry feature. That makes it easy to get in
and out of the third seat, if you have one.

T o operate the seat, move the lever at the side of the
seat down.

Tilt the seatback toward the front of the vehicle by
pulling the top of the seatback forward.

When you do, the seat bottom will release. Just pull the
seat forward until it stops.

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There is a foot-operated
release lever for rear seat
passengers to use when
getting out of the third seat.

T o release the easy entry second seat, lift up on the
top of the release lever with your foot. Push the top
of the seatback forward and tilt it toward the front of
the vehicle.

T o return the seat to its regular position, return the
seatback to its upright position, then push the whole seat
rearward until it latches.

After returning the seat to its regular position, try to
move the seat with your body, to make sure the seat is
locked into place.

Removing the Rear (Suburban Third Seat)

If your vehicle has a third seat, it can be taken out for
more cargo space.

Before removing the seat, unlatch the outside passenger
position safety belts from the seat frame.

T o unlatch the safety belt,
press the tip of a key into
the release hole of the
safety belt attachment
while pulling up on the
safety belt.

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Then, hang the latch plate
end of the belt on the hook
at the top of the retractor
cover, out of the way.

T o remove the seat, fully open the rear load doors and
enter the back of the vehicle.

Move the seatback release
lever, at the right rear of the
seat, toward the center of
the vehicle.

T o unlatch the seat from the
floor, pull up on the center
release handle at the rear of
the seat and lift the rear seat
up, off of the floor.

Turn the seat sideways and take it out of the vehicle.

Replacing the Rear Seat

CAUTION:

A seat that isn’t locked into place properly can
move around in a collision or sudden stop. People
in the vehicle could be injured. Be sure to lock
the seat into place properly when installing it.

Then, fold the seatback forward into the seat cushion.

1-13

CAUTION:

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

T o put the seat back in, hold the seat sideways and put it
into the vehicle. Turn the seat to the forward position
and set it down, with the latches at the bottom of the seat
over the hooks in the floor. Pull up on the center release
handle and let the seat drop into place. Release the
handle to let the seat latch close and make sure it locks
into place. Then, move the seatback release lever at the
right rear of the seat toward the center of the vehicle and
raise the seatback.

After returning the seatback to the upright position, push
the seatback forward to make sure it is locked into place.

Then, return the outside passenger position safety belts
to the seat frame buckles, so they will be available for
rear seat passengers to use.

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Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone

This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts
properly. It also tells you some things you should not do
with safety belts.

And it explains the air bag system.

CAUTION:

Don’t let anyone ride where he or she can’t wear
a safety belt properly. If you are in a crash and
you’re not wearing a safety belt, your injuries
can be much worse. You can hit things inside the
vehicle or be ejected from it. You 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 passengers’ belts
are fastened properly too.

1-14

CAUTION:

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 your vehicle is in a seat and using a
safety belt properly.

Your vehicle has a light that
comes on as a reminder to
buckle up. (See “Safety
Belt Reminder Light” in
the Index.)

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In most states and Canadian provinces, the law says to
wear safety belts. Here’s why: They work.

You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a
crash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one.

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

After more than 30 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.

1-15

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T ake the simplest vehicle. Suppose it’s just a seat
on wheels.

1-16

Put someone on it.

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Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider
doesn’t stop.

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

1-17

or the instrument panel ... or the safety belts!

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

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1-18

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Here Are Questions Many People Ask
About Safety Belts

Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an

Q:

accident if I’m wearing a safety belt?

-- and the Answers

A: You could be -- whether you’re wearing a safety

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

Q: If my vehicle has air bags, why should I have to

wear safety belts?

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

most of them in the future. But they are
supplemental systems only; so they work with
safety belts
system ever offered for sale has required the use of
safety belts. Even if you’re in a vehicle that has air
bags, you still have to buckle up to get the most
protection. That’s true not only in frontal collisions,
but especially in side and other collisions.

-- not instead of them. Every air bag

Q: If I’m 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’re in an

accident
your passengers can be hurt. Being a good driver
doesn’t protect you from things beyond your
control, such as bad drivers.

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

Safety belts are for everyone.

-- even one that isn’t your fault -- you and

1-19

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly

Adults

This part 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 babies. If a child will be riding in your
vehicle, see the part of this manual called “Children.”
Follow those rules for everyone’s protection.

First, you’ll want to know which restraint systems your
vehicle has.

We’ll start with the driver position.

Driver Position

This part describes the driver’s restraint system.

Lap-Shoulder Belt

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

1. Close and lock the door.

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

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

4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.

If the belt isn’t long enough, see “Safety Belt
Extender” at the end of this section.

Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned
so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly
if you ever had to.

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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’d be less
likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the
belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could
cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt
should go over the shoulder and across the chest.
These parts of the body are best able to take belt
restraining forces.

The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or a crash.

1-21

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Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster

Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder belt
adjuster to the height that is right for you.

T o move it down, push in at the word PRESS and move
the height adjuster to the desired position. You can move
the adjuster up just by pushing up on the shoulder belt
guide. After you move the adjuster to where you want it,
try to move it down without pushing in to make sure it
has locked into position.

Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the
belt is centered on your shoulder. The belt should be
away from your face and neck, but not falling off
your shoulder.

1-22

Q: What’s wrong with this?

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

as much protection this way.

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CAUTION:

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

1-23

Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place.

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CAUTION:

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

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