Chevrolet Tahoe 2001 Owner's Manual

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2001 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban

Owner's Manual

Litho in U.S.A. Part Number C2116 A First Edition

Section

Table of Contents

Seats and Restraint Systems

Seats and Seat Controls Safety Belts

Features and Controls

Windows Keys and Door Locks Keyless Entry System (If Equipped) Liftgate Automatic Transmission Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped) Parking Brake Tilt Wheel (If Equipped) Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever Windshield Wipers Cruise Control

Air Bag Systems Restraint Systems for Children

Exterior and Interior Lamps Mirrors Storage Compartments Convenience Net/Cargo Cover/Luggage Carrier (If Equipped) Accessory Power Outlets OnStar® System (If Equipped) Sunroof (If Equipped) HomeLink® Transmitter (If Equipped) Instrument Panel, Warning Lights and Gages Message Center

Section

Table of Contents (cont'd)

Comfort Controls and Audio Systems

Heating and Air Conditioning Setting the Radio Clock

Your Driving and the Road

Your Driving, the Road and Your Vehicle Defensive Driving Drunken Driving Control of a Vehicle Braking Steering

Problems on the Road

Hazard Warning Flashers Jump Starting Towing Your Vehicle

Radio/Cassette Player/CD Player Radio Theft-Deterrent Feature (If Equipped)

Driving Tips for Various Road Conditions Off-Road Driving Recreational Vehicle Towing Loading Your Vehicle Towing a Trailer

Engine Overheating Changing a Flat Tire If You're Stuck

iii

Section

Table of Contents (cont'd)

Service and Appearance Care

Fuel Checking Fluids and Lubricants GM Oil Life System™ Engine Air Cleaner/Filter Passenger Compartment Air Filter (If Equipped) Brakes Bulb Replacement

Maintenance Schedule

Scheduled Maintenance Owner Checks and Services Periodic Maintenance Inspections

Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement Tires and Wheels Appearance Care Electrical System/Fuses and Circuit Breakers Capacities and Specifications Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

Recommended Fluids and Lubricants Maintenance Records

Table of Contents (cont'd)

Customer Assistance Information

Section

Customer Satisfaction Procedures Customer Assistance Offices

Roadside Assistance and Courtesy Transportation

Warranty Information (See Warranty Manual) Reporting Safety Defects on page 8-10 Service Publications

Index

In the Index you will find an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual.

You can use it to quickly find something you want to read.

Please refer to the last page of this manual for your

Service Station Guide

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem, 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 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.

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

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.

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.

vii

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.

viii

Vehicle Symbols

These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle. Also see “Warning Lights and Gages” in the Index.

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:

CHILD RESTRAINT TOP STRAP

ANCHOR

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

FUEL

Model Reference

This manual covers these models:

Tahoe Suburban

For

a More

Detailed Look at

What's Under the Hood

See Section 6

Hood Release

See Section 6

Windshield Washer

Fluid

See Section 6

Battery

See Section 6

Service Station Guide

Cooling System

See Section 5

Engine Oil Dipstick

See Section 6

Oil Viscosity

Engine Oil

See Section 6

Tire Pressure

See Section 6

Spare Tire Pressure

See Section 5

Fuel

Use unleaded gas only.

See Section 6

for octane ratings.

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.

-2 Seats and Seat Controls

-15 Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone

-20 Here Are Questions Many People Ask

About Safety Belts

-21 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly

1 1

-21 Driver Position

-27 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy

-28 Right Front Passenger Position

1 1

-28 Air Bag Systems

-37 Center Passenger Position

-- and the Answers

-38 Rear Seat Passengers

1 1

-42 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for

Children and Small Adults

1-45 Children

-49 Restraint Systems for Children

1 1

-62 Older Children

-65 Safety Belt Extender

-65 Checking Your Restraint Systems

1 1

-65 Replacing Restraint System Parts

After a Crash

1-1

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 or split bench seat, you can adjust it with this lever located at the front of the seat.

Lift the lever at the front of the seat 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 in order to make sure the seat is locked into place.

1-2

Manual Cushion Tilt (If Equipped)

If your vehicle has this feature, you can raise or lower the front of the driver’s or passenger’s seat with this lever located at the inside edge of the seat. T o raise or lower the front of the seat, move the lever up or down in a continuous motion until the cushion reaches the desired height.

Manual Lumbar Control (If Equipped)

If your vehicle has a lumbar adjustment, you can increase or decrease lumbar support in an area of the lower seatback. The control is located on the outboard side of the front seats.

T o increase support, turn the knob towards the front of the vehicle. Operating effort can be reduced if you lean forward slightly while turning the knob.

T o decrease support, turn the knob towards the rear of the vehicle.

1-3

Power Seat(s) (If Equipped)

Horizontal Control: If your vehicle has a power seat,

you can adjust it with these controls located at the outboard edges of the seats.

Raise or lower the front of the seat cushion by raising or lowering the forward edge of the button.

Move the seat forward or rearward by moving the whole button forward or rearward.

Raise or lower the rear of the seat cushion by raising or lowering the rear edge of the button.

Moving the whole button up or down raises or lowers the entire seat cushion.

Vertical Control: If your vehicle has the power reclining seats, you can use this button to adjust the angle of the seatback. Move the reclining front seatback rearward or forward by moving this button toward the rear or the front of the vehicle. See “Reclining Seatbacks” in the Index for further information.

1-4

Power Lumbar Control (If Equipped)

Memory Seat (If Equipped)

T o increase or decrease support, press and hold the front or rear of the control. Let go of the control when the lower seatback reaches the desired level of support.

You can also reshape the side wing area of the lower seatback for more lateral support.

T o increase or decrease support, press and hold the top or bottom of the control. Let go of the control when the lower seatback reaches the desired level of support.

The memory function controls the driver’s seat cushion and recliner positions and is located on the driver’s door trim panel.

It does not store the lumbar or back support positions. T o set your memory seat, do the following:

1. Adjust the driver’s seat to your desired position.

2. Press the SET button and then press the 1 or 2 side of the memory control within five seconds.

When your vehicle is in PARK (P), press the 1 or 2 button of the memory control to recall the seat setting.

T o do the same thing for a second driver, follow the preceding steps, but press the other number of the memory control. The memory feature only works when the transmission is in PARK (P).

1-5

Heated Front Seats (If Equipped)

If your vehicle has heated front seats, the ignition must be in RUN for them to operate.

The control for the driver’s side heated seat is located on the driver’s side door panel. The control for the passenger’s side heated seat is located on the passenger’s side door panel.

To activate the heated seats, press the button once for the HI heat setting. Press the button again for the LO heat setting. To turn off the heated seats, press the button a third time. An indicator light on the button will illuminate for each heat setting anytime the heated seats are operating.

The heated front seats will be canceled after the ignition is turned to OFF. If you still want to use the heated front seat feature after you restart your vehicle, you will need to press the heated seat button again.

Reclining Seatbacks

T o adjust the front seatback, lift the lever located on the outboard side of the seat. Release the lever to lock the seatback where you want it. Lift the lever again upward and the seatback will go to an upright position.

If your vehicle has power seats with a power recliner, see “Power Seats” in the Index for further information on how to operate the reclining seatback feature.

1-6

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

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. 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.

1-7

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.

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 space provided on the folded up seat cushion. When the seat is returned to the passenger position, be sure the head restraints are installed properly.

1-8

Rear Seats

Utility: The rear seat may have a 60/40 split seat which

may be folded down to give you more cargo space. The rear seatbacks may be equipped with rearward folding head restraints. When the seatback is being folded down, the head restraint will automatically fold rearward to allow a flat load floor for cargo or entry to the third row seat (if equipped).

Suburban/Yukon XL: The second row rear seat of Suburban/Yukon XL models may have a 60/40 split seat or rear bucket seats. Either side of the rear seat may be folded down to give you more cargo space.

On both Utility and Suburban/Yukon XL models with 60/40 split bench seats, before folding the rear seat back down on the driver’s side, insert the center occupant lap belt latch plate into the loop provided on the underside of the folded forward seat cushion. You may have to adjust the location of the latch plate on the webbing so that it reaches the loop. Stowing in this loop will reduce the chances of damaging and soiling the belt. Remember to remove the latch plate from the loop before the seat is returned to the passenger position.

On Suburban/Yukon XL models with rear bucket seats, the head restraints need to be removed in order to fold the rear seat. T o do this, lift the head restraints up until they stop. Press in the button on the side of the head restraint guide cap and lift up on the head restraint. This will need to be repeated on the other cap. The head restraint can be removed and stored in the space provided on the folded up seat cushion.

On Suburban/Yukon XL models with bucket seats, the seatbacks can be reclined. T o adjust the seatback, pull the lever, located at the base of the back, forward. Release the lever to lock the seatback where you want it. Pull the lever again and the seatback will go to an upright position. In order to fold the back of a bucket seat into a horizontal load floor, the back must be in its full upright position and not reclined.

1-9

On Suburban/Yukon XL models with 60/40 split bench seats, before folding the rear seat on the driver’s side, insert the two buckles into the retainer in the seatback. That way, the buckles will be out of the way when the seat is folded and will be 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 and that the head restraints are completely lowered.

T o fold, pull up on the strap loop at the rear 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. If the seatback cannot fold flat because it interferes with the cushion, try moving the front seat forward and/or bringing the front seatback more upright. On the passenger side of Suburban/Y ukon XL models, the lever at the base of the seat must be turned rearward to release the seatback.

T o create a load floor, release the panels from the seatback by pushing forward on the latch. Then fold the panels back to cover the rear seat footwell area.

T o return the seat to the passenger position on a Suburban/Yukon XL, lift the floor load panels and latch them into the seatback. Lift the seatback up and push rearward all the way. Then lower the seat cushion until it latches into position.

Pull forward on the seatback and up on the seat cushion to make sure the seat is securely in place.

1-10

Check to see that the buckles on the driver’s side seatback are accessible to the outboard and center occupant and are not under the seat cushions.

If you have removed the head restraints to fold the rear bucket seat, be sure to reinstall them on the seatback after it has been returned to the normal seating position. Be sure to return the head restraints to the upright position on utility models.

Entry to the Third Seat

Suburban/Yukon XL: The passenger’s side of the

second row 60/40 or rear bucket seats has an easy entry feature. This makes it easy to get in and out of the third seat, if your vehicle has one.

T o operate the easy entry seat, turn the release lever, located near the back of the seat rearward.

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.

Be sure to return the seat to the passenger position when finished. Pull forward and push rearward on the seat to make sure it is locked in place.

Folding the Third Seat

Utility: The seatback of the third seat (if equipped) in

utility models also folds down on the floor.

T o fold the seatback down, pull up on the release lever, labeled 1, located on the rear of the seatback. Then push the seatback forward.

T o return the seat to the passenger position, pull up on the release lever labeled 1 and then pull up on the seatback until it locks into the upright position. Push forward on the seatback to make sure it is locked into position.

1-11

If still more cargo space is desired, the third seat can also be folded and tumbled forward or removed if necessary by pulling up on the release lever labeled 2.

The seat locks into place and does not need to be removed when carrying cargo. See “Removing the Third Row Seats” for utility later in this section for removal instructions.

Suburban/Yukon XL: The seatback of the third seat (if equipped) in Suburban/Yukon XL models also folds down to create more cargo space.

T o fold the seatback down, pull up on the release lever, labeled 1, located on the rear of the seatback, then push the seatback forward.

T o return the seat to the passenger position, pull up on the release lever and then pull up on the seatback until it locks into the upright position. Push forward on the seatback to make sure it is locked into position.

If still more cargo space is desired, the third seat can also be folded and tumbled forward by using the lever, labeled 2. T o return the seats to their original position, reverse the above steps.

Fold and Tilt Feature (Suburban/Yukon XL Third Seat)

Once the third seatback has been folded down, the entire seat can be tilted forward to create a flat load floor. To do this, you will need to enter the rear cargo area of the vehicle. Make sure the head restraints have been lowered completely.

With the seat folded, unlatch the seat from the floor by pulling up on the lever located under the carrying handle at the rear of the seat labeled 2. Lift the rear of the seat up, off of the floor. You will not be able to unlatch the seat from the floor unless the seatback is folded down.

Tilt the seat fully forward and secure it in place using the support rod located on the underside of the seat, passenger side. Make sure the support rod pin is fully engaged in the lock.

1-12

Push and pull on the seat, making sure the support rod is holding it firmly in place. Use the seat in this position only when necessary for additional cargo space.

Return the seatback to the upright position by pulling up on the release lever labeled 1 before the back can be folded upright. Pull the seatback forward to make sure it is locked into place.

CAUTION:

If the support rod isn’t properly engaged, the folded third row seat could come loose in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to people and damage to your vehicle. Always be sure the support rod is properly engaged when the third row seat is folded forward.

T o return the seat to its seating position, push forward on the seat and release the support lock rod. Secure the support rod in its stored position on the underside of the seat. Lower the seat to the floor and let the seat drop into place. Lift up on the carrying handle to make sure the seat is locked in place.

Removing the Third Row Seat

Utility: If your vehicle has third row seating, it can be

taken out for more cargo space. T o remove the seat, fully open the rear doors and enter

the rear of the vehicle.

Fold the seatback forward into the seat cushion by using the lever labeled 1. The seat cannot be removed unless the seatback is folded.

1-13

T o unlatch the seat from the back of the floor, pull up on the release lever labeled 2 at the rear of the seat and lift the rear of the seat up, off of the floor.

Pull on the release lever located in the lower middle to unlatch the seat from the front of the floor and pull the seat out. Use one hand on the release lever and the other on the handle to pull the seat out.

Suburban/Yukon XL: If your vehicle has third row seating, it can be taken out for more cargo space.

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

Fold the seatback forward into the seat cushion by using the lever labeled 1. The seat cannot be removed unless the seatback is folded.

T o unlatch the seat from the floor, pull up on the release lever labeled 2 at the rear of the seat and lift the rear of the seat up, off of the floor.

Pull on the strap, labeled 3, at the rear of the seat to release the front seat latches. Then, pull the seat straight back, towards the rear of the vehicle and remove it. There are wheels at the front of the seat to assist you.

Replacing the Rear Seat

Utility: T o put the seat back in, place the front of the

seat on the load floor facing towards the front of the vehicle. Slide the wheels into the slots on the floor and lock into place using the hooks there. Once the latches are engaged, let the seat drop into place. Release the lever labeled 1 to return the seat to its upright position. Push and pull on the seat to make sure it is locked into place.

1-14

Suburban/Yukon XL: To put the seat back in, place

the front of the seat on the load floor, facing the front of the vehicle. While holding the rear of the seat up, use the wheels on the front of the seat to roll it towards the seat hooks in the floor. When the latches are engaged in the hooks, let the seat drop into place. Lift up on the carrying handle to make sure the seat is locked in place.

Raise the seatback into the upright position. Push and pull on the seat to make sure it is locked into place. The seatback cannot be raised to the upright position unless the seat is secured to the floor.

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.

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.

1-15

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.

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!

1-16

Why Safety Belts Work

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

Ta ke the simplest vehicle. Suppose it’s just a seat on wheels.

Put someone on it.

1-17

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

1-18

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

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

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

1-19

Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts

Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an

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 and 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

1-20

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 so you can sit up straight. T o see how , see “Seats” in the Index.

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

The 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.

1-21

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.

5. T o make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder belt.

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.

1-22

Q: What’s wrong with this?

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

as much protection this way.

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.

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.

1-24

Q: What’s wrong with this?

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

be worn over the shoulder at all times.

CAUTION:

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 aren’t as strong as shoulder bones. You could also severely injure internal organs like your liver or spleen.

1-25

Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The belt is twisted across the body.

CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt. In a crash, you wouldn’t 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.

1-26

T o unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle. The belt should go back out of the way.

Before you close the door, be sure the belt is out of the way . If you slam the door on it, you can damage both the belt and your vehicle.

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 don’t 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.

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The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it’s more likely that the fetus won’t be hurt in a crash. For pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making safety belts effective is wearing them properly.

Right Front Passenger Position

T o learn how to wear the right front passenger’s safety belt properly, see “Driver Position” earlier in this section.

The right front passenger’s safety belt works the same way as the driver’s safety belt If you ever pull the shoulder portion of the belt out all the way, you will engage the child restraint locking feature. If this happens, just let the belt go back all the way and start again.

-- except for one thing.

Air Bag Systems

This part explains the frontal and side impact air bag systems.

Your vehicle has four air bags for the driver, another frontal air bag for the right front passenger, a side impact air bag for the driver, and another side impact air bag for the right front passenger.

-- a frontal air bag

Frontal air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of injury from the force of an inflating frontal air bag. But these air bags must inflate very quickly to do their job and comply with federal regulations.

Here are the most important things to know about the air bag systems:

CAUTION:

You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if you aren’t wearing your safety belt you have air bags. Wearing your safety belt during a crash helps reduce your chance of hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected from it. Air bags are “supplemental restraints” to the safety belts. All air bags are designed to work with safety belts but don’t replace them.

CAUTION: (Continued)

-- even if

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CAUTION: (Continued)

Frontal air bags for the driver and right front passenger are designed to work only in moderate to severe crashes where the front of your vehicle hits something. They aren’t designed to inflate at all in rollover, rear, side or low crashes. And, for unrestrained occupants, frontal air bags may provide less protection in frontal crashes than more forceful air bags have provided in the past. The side impact air bags for the driver and right front passenger are designed to inflate only in moderate to severe crashes where something hits the side of your vehicle. They aren’t designed to inflate in frontal, in rollover or in rear crashes. Everyone in your vehicle should wear a safety belt properly bag for that person.

-- whether or not there’s an air

-speed frontal

CAUTION:

Both frontal and side impact air bags inflate with great force, faster than the blink of an eye. If you’re too close to an inflating air bag, as you would be if you were leaning forward, it could seriously injure you. Safety belts help keep you in position for air bag inflation before and during a crash. Always wear your safety belt, even with frontal air bags. The driver should sit as far back as possible while still maintaining control of the vehicle. Front occupants should not lean on or sleep against the door.

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CAUTION:

Anyone who is up against, or very close to, any air bag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. Air bags plus lap the best protection for adults, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its air bag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide. Always secure children properly in your vehicle. To read how, see the part of this manual called “Children.”

-shoulder belts offer

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

The system checks the air bag electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. See “Air Bag Readiness Light” in the Index for more information.

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How the Air Bag Systems Work

Where are the air bags?

The driver’s frontal air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel.

The right front passenger’s frontal air bag is in the instrument panel on the passenger’s side.

The driver’s side impact air bag is in the side of the driver’s seatback closest to the door .

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The right front passenger’s side impact air bag is in the side of the passenger’s seatback closest to the door .

CAUTION:

If something is between an occupant and an air bag, the bag might not inflate properly or it might force the object into that person. The path of an inflating air bag must be kept clear. Don’t put anything between an occupant and an air bag, and don’t attach or put anything on the steering wheel hub or on or near any other air bag covering and don’t let seat covers block the inflation path of a side impact air bag.

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When should an air bag inflate?

The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or near

-frontal crashes. But they are designed to inflate

only if the impact speed is above the system’s designed “threshold level.”

If your vehicle goes straight into a wall that doesn’t move or deform, the threshold level is about 9 to 16 mph (14 to 26 km/h). The threshold level can vary, however, with specific vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat above or below this range.

If your vehicle strikes something that will move or deform, such as a parked car, the threshold level will be higher. The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bags are not designed to inflate in rollovers, side impacts, or rear impacts, because inflation would not help the occupant.

The side impact air bags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe side crashes. A side impact air bag will inflate if the crash severity is above the system’s designed “threshold level.” The threshold level can vary with specific vehicle design. Side impact air bags are not designed to inflate in frontal or near rollovers or rear impacts, because inflation would not help the occupant. A side impact air bag will only deploy on the side of the vehicle that is struck.

-frontal impacts,

In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air bag should have inflated simply because of the damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were. For frontal air bags, inflation is determined by the angle of the impact and how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal and near bags, inflation is determined by the location and severity of the impact.

The air bag system is designed to work properly under a wide range of conditions, including off-road usage. Observe safe driving speeds, especially on rough terrain. As always, wear your safety belt. See “Off Driving” in the Index for more tips on off

What makes an air bag inflate?

In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. For both frontal and side impact air bags, the sensing system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag and related hardware are all part of the air bag modules inside the steering wheel, instrument panel and the side of the front seatbacks closest to the door.

-frontal impacts. For side impact air

-Road

-road driving.

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How does an air bag 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. The air bag supplements the protection provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But the frontal air bags would not help you in many types of collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts, and side impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward the air bag. Side impact air bags would not help you in many types of collisions, including frontal or near frontal collisions, rollovers, and rear impacts, primarily because an occupant’ s motion is not toward those air bags. Air bags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only in moderate to severe frontal or near the driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bags, and only in moderate to severe side collisions for the driver’s and right front passenger’s side impact air bags.

-frontal collisions for

What will you see after an air bag inflates?

After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly that some people may not even realize the air bag inflated. Some components of the air bag module steering wheel hub for the driver’s air bag, the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s bag, the side of the seatback closest to the door for the driver and right front passenger’s side impact air bags time. The parts of the bag that come into contact with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the deflated air bags. Air bag inflation doesn’t prevent the driver from seeing or being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.

-- will be hot for a short

-- the

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CAUTION:

When an air bag inflates, there is 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 can’t get out of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get fresh air by opening a window or a door.

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

Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After an air bag inflates, you’ll need some new parts for your air bag system. If you don’t get them, the air bag system won’t be there to help protect you in another crash. A new system will include air bag modules and possibly other parts. The service manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.

Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and diagnostic module, which records information about the frontal air bag system. The module records information about the readiness of the system, when the system commands air bag inflation and driver’s safety belt usage at deployment. The module also records speed, engine rpm, brake and throttle data.

Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag systems. Improper service can mean that an air bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer for service.

NOTICE:

If you damage the covering for the driver’s or the right front passenger’s air bag, or the air bag covering on the driver’s and right front passenger’s seatback, the bag may not work properly. You may have to replace the air bag module in the steering wheel, both the air bag module and the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s air bag, or both the air bag module and seatback for the driver’s and right front passenger’s side impact air bag. Do not open or break the air bag coverings.

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Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle

Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced. There are parts of the air bag systems in several places around your vehicle. Your dealer and the service manual have information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag systems. T o purchase a service manual, see “Service and Owner Publications” in the Index.

CAUTION:

For up to two minutes after the ignition key is turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air bag can still inflate during improper service. You can be injured if you are close to an air bag when it inflates. Avoid yellow connectors. They are probably part of the air bag systems. Be sure to follow proper service procedur es, and make sure the person performing work for you is qualified to do so.

The air bag systems do not need regular maintenance.

Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle

Q: If I add a push bumper or bicycle rack to the

front of my vehicle, will it keep the air bags from working properly?

A: As long as the push bumper or bicycle rack is

attached to your vehicle so that the vehicle’s basic structure isn’t changed, it’s not likely to keep the air bags from working properly in a crash.

Q: Is there anything I might add to the front or

sides of the vehicle that could keep the air bags from working properly?

A: Ye s. If you add things that change your vehicle’s

frame, bumper system, front end or side sheet metal or height, they may keep the air bag system from working properly. Also, the air bag system may not work properly if you relocate any of the air bag sensors. 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” in the Index.

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Q: What if I add a snow plow? Will it keep the

air bags from working properly?

A: We’ve designed our air bag systems to work

properly under a wide range of conditions, including snow plowing with vehicles equipped with the optional Snow Plow Prep Package (RPO VYU). But don’t change or defeat the snow plow’s “tripping mechanism.” If you do, it can damage your snow plow and your vehicle, and it may cause an air bag inflation.

Lap Belt

If your vehicle has front and rear bench seats, someone can sit in the center positions.

When you sit in a center seating position, you have a lap safety belt, which has no retractor. To make the belt longer, tilt the latch plate and pull it along the belt.

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T o make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown until the belt is snug.

Buckle, position and release it the same way as the lap part of a lap 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.

-shoulder belt. If the belt isn’t long enough,

Rear Seat Passengers

It’s very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up! Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts.

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

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Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions

Lap-Shoulder Belt

The positions next to the windows have lap belts. Here’s how to wear one properly.

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

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

-shoulder

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When the shoulder belt is pulled out all the way, it will lock. If it does, let it go back all the way and start again.

If the belt is not long enough, see “Safety Belt Extender” at the end of this section.

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

3. T o make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part.

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

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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.

T o unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle.

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Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults

Rear shoulder belt comfort guides will provide added safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown booster seats and for small adults. When installed on a shoulder belt, the comfort guide better positions the belt away from the neck and head.

There is one guide for each outside passenger position in the rear seats. T o provide added safety belt comfort for children who have outgrown child restraints and for smaller adults, the comfort guides may be installed on the shoulder belts. Here’s how to install a comfort guide and use the safety belt:

Second Row Seat

1. For the second row, remove the guide from its storage clip on the trim panel near the side of the seatback. For the third row, remove the guide from its storage clip on the side of the seatback.

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Third Row Seat

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

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3. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies flat. The guide must be on top of the belt.

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Second Row Seat

Third Row Seat

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

T o remove and store the comfort guides, squeeze the belt edges together so that you can take them out from the guides. Make sure you remove the comfort guide from the belt before you fold a rear seat down or use

-entry seat, if your vehicle has one.

an easy

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.

Infants and Young Children

Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles, they should have the protection provided by the appropriate restraint. Young children should not use the vehicle’s safety belts, unless there is no other choice.

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CAUTION:

People should never hold a baby in their arms while riding in a vehicle. A baby doesn’t weigh much

-- until a crash. During a crash a baby

will become so heavy it is not possible to hold it. For example, in a crash at only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12 become a 240 arms. A baby should be secured in an appropriate restraint.

-lb. (5.5 kg) baby will suddenly

-lb. (110 kg) force on a person’s

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CAUTION:

Children who are up against, or very close to, any air bag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. Air bags plus lap outstanding protection for adults and older children, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its air bag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide.

-shoulder belts offer

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Q: What are the different types of add-on

child restraints?

A: Add-on child restraints, which are purchased

by the vehicle’s 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.

CAUTION:

Newborn infants need complete support, including support for the head and neck. This is necessary because a newborn infant’s neck is weak and its head weighs so much compared with the rest of its body. In a crash, an infant in a rear

-facing seat 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 always should be secured in appropriate infant restraints.

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CAUTION:

The body structure of a young child is quite unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom the safety belts are designed. A young child’s hip bones are still so small that 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’s unprotected by any bony structure. This alone could cause serious or fatal injuries. Young children always should be secured in appropriate child restraints.

Restraint Systems for Children

An infant car bed (A), a special bed made for use in a motor vehicle, is an infant restraint system designed to restrain or position a child on a continuous flat surface. Make sure that the infant’s head rests toward the center of the vehicle.

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A rear-facing infant seat (B) 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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A forward-facing child seat (C-E) provides restraint for the child’s body with the harness and also sometimes with surfaces such as T

-shaped or shelf-like shields.

Q: How do child restraints work?

A: A child restraint system is any device designed for

use in a motor vehicle to restrain, seat, or position children. A built permanent part of the motor vehicle. An add child restraint system is a portable one, which is purchased by the vehicle’s owner.

-in child restraint system is a

-on

A booster seat (F-G) is a child restraint designed to improve the fit of the vehicle’s safety belt system. Some booster seats have a shoulder belt positioner, and some high

-back booster seats have a five-point harness. A

booster seat can also help a child to see out the window.

For many years, add used the adult belt system in the vehicle. T o help reduce the chance of injury, the child also has to be secured within the restraint. The vehicle’s belt system secures the add vehicle, and the add system holds the child in place within the restraint.

One system, the three that come down over each of the infant’s shoulders and buckle together at the crotch. The five harness system has two shoulder straps, two hip straps and a crotch strap. A shield may take the place of hip straps. A T straps that are attached to a flat pad which rests low against the child’s body. A shelf shield has straps that are attached to a wide, shelf

-like shield that swings up or to the side.

-on child restraints have

-on child restraint in the

-on child restraint’s harness

-point harness, has straps

-point

-shaped shield has shoulder

- or armrest-type

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When choosing a child restraint, be sure the child restraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is, it will have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards.

Then follow the instructions for the restraint. You may find these instructions on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both. These restraints use the belt system in your vehicle, but the child also has to be secured within the restraint to help reduce the chance of personal injury. When securing an add 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.

-on child restraint, refer to the

Where to Put the Restraint

Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. General Motors, therefore, recommends that child restraints be secured in a rear seat including an infant riding in a rear forward a booster seat. Never put a rear in the right front passenger seat. Here’s why:

-facing infant seat, a child riding in a

-facing child seat and an older child riding in

-facing child restraint

CAUTION:

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger’s air bag inflates. This is because the back of the rear very close to the inflating air bag. Always secure a rear

-facing child restraint in a rear seat.

You may secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, but before you do, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go. It’s better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat.

Wherever you install it, 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 is in it.

-facing child restraint would be

-- even when no child

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Top Strap

Some child restraints have a top strap, or “top tether.” It can help restrain the child restraint during a collision. For it to work, a top strap must be properly anchored to the vehicle.

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

In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top strap, and that the strap be anchored. In the United States, some child restraints also have a top strap. If your child restraint has a top strap, it should be anchored.

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Suburban/Yukon XL models without rear seats: Top

strap anchor loops are located at the bottom rear of the front seat cushion for the right front passenger’s position.

Suburban/Yukon XL Models Without Rear Seats

Anchor the top strap to this bracket. Once you have the top strap anchored, you’ll be ready to secure the child restraint itself.

Suburban/Yukon XL models with rear seats: A child restraint with a top strap should only be used in the second or third row. Don’t use a child restraint with a top strap in the front seat because there’s no place to anchor the top strap.

An anchor loop bracket for a top strap is located at the bottom rear of the seat cushion for each seating position in the second row, and for the center seating position in the third row.

Suburban/Yukon XL Second Row Seat.

Bucket seats similar.

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Suburban/Yukon XL Third Row Seat

Utility models: A child restraint with a top strap

should only be used in the second row. Don’t use a child restraint with a top strap in the right front passenger’s position or in the third row, because there’s no place to anchor the top strap.

An anchor loop bracket for a top strap is located at the bottom rear of the seat cushion for each seating position in the second row.

Utility Second Row Seat

Anchor the top strap to one of these anchor points. Be sure to use an anchor point located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating position where the child restraint will be placed. Raise the head restraint and route the top strap under it.

Once you have the top strap anchored, you’ll be ready to secure the child restraint itself. Tighten the top strap when and as the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions say.

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Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position

You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier part about the top strap if the child restraint has one. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say.

1. Put the restraint on the seat.

2. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how.

If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face or neck, put it behind the child restraint.

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

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

5. To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor while you push down on the child restraint. If you’re using a forward-facing child restraint, you may find it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.

6. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure.

T o remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger.

Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear Seat Position

You’ll be using the lap belt. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say.

See the earlier part about the top strap if the child restraint has one.

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1. Make the belt as long as possible by tilting the latch plate and pulling it along the belt.

2. Put the restraint on the seat.

3. Run the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how.

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

5. T o tighten the belt, pull its free end while you push down on the child restraint. If you’re using a forward helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.

-facing child restraint, you may find it

6. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure.

T o remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt. It will be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger.

Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front Seat Position

Don’t use child restraints in this position. The restraints won’t work properly.

Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position

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Your vehicle has a right front passenger air bag. Never put a rear

-facing child restraint in this seat. Here’s why:

CAUTION:

-facing child restraint in the rear seat.

Although a rear seat is a safer place, you can secure a forward

You’ll be using the lap part about the top strap if the child restraint has one. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say.

1. Because your vehicle has a right front passenger air

2. Put the restraint on the seat.

-facing child restraint in the right front seat.

bag, always move the seat as far back as it will go before securing a forward See “Seats” in the Index.

-facing child restraint would be

-shoulder belt. See the earlier

-facing child restraint.

3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how.

If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face or neck, put it behind the child restraint.

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

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

6. To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor while you push down on the child restraint. You may find it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.

7. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure.

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Older Children

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

If you have the choice, a child should sit next to a window so the child can wear a lap get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide.

-shoulder belt and

Q: What is the proper way to wear safety belts?

A: If possible, 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. It should never be worn over the abdomen, which could cause severe or even fatal internal injuries in a crash.

Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear seat.

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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CAUTION:

Never do this. Here two children are wearing the same belt. The

belt can’t properly spread the impact forces. In a crash, the two children can be crushed together and seriously injured. A belt must be used by only one person at a time.

Q: What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,

but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is very close to the child’s face or neck?

A: Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but

be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s shoulder, so that in a crash the child’s upper body would have the restraint that belts provide. If the child is sitting in a rear seat outside position, see “Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides” in the Index. If the child is so small that the shoulder belt is still very close to the child’s face or neck, you might want to place the child in a seat that has a lap belt, if your vehicle has one.

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CAUTION:

Never do this. Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a

lap

-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind

the child. If the child wears the belt in this way, in a crash the child might slide under the belt. The belt’s force would then be applied right on the child’s abdomen. That could cause serious or fatal injuries.

Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the child’s thighs. This applies belt force to the child’s pelvic bones in a crash.

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Safety Belt Extender

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

But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the extender will be long enough for you. The extender will be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it only for the seat it is made to fit. T o wear it, just attach it to the regular safety belt.

Checking Your Restraint Systems

Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it repaired.

T orn 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.

Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.)

Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash

If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts? After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.

But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.

If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the belt wasn’t being used at the time of the collision.

If an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bag system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier in this section.

1-65

Section 2 Features and Controls

Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting, shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is working properly

-- and what to do if you have a problem.

-2 Windows

-4 Keys

-5 Door Locks

2 2

-9 Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)

-13 Theft

2 2

-14 Content Theft-Deterrent (If Equipped)

-15 Passlock

2-16 New Vehicle “Break In” 2

-16 Ignition Positions

-17 Starting Your Engine

2 2

-19 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)

-20 Automatic Transmission Operation

-24 Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)

2 2

-28 Parking Brake

-29 Shifting Into PARK (P)

2 2

-32 Shifting Out of PARK (P)

-32 Parking Over Things That Burn

2 2

-33 Engine Exhaust

-33 Running Your Engine While You’re Parked

-34 Level Control (If Equipped)

-35 Autoride

2 2

-35 Locking Rear Axle

-36 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever

2 2

-43 Exterior Lamps

-47 Interior Lamps

-48 Mirrors

2 2

-53 Storage Compartments

-60 HomeLink

2 2

-63 OnStar

-66 The Instrument Panel - Your

Information System

2-68 Instrument Panel Cluster

-69 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2 2

-84 Message Center

(If Equipped)

Transmitter (If Equipped)

System (If Equipped)

2-1

Windows

CAUTION:

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

Manual Windows

Turn the hand crank on each door to raise or lower manual windows.

2-2

Power Windows (If Equipped)

If you have power windows, the controls are located on each of the side doors.

The driver’s door has a switch for the passenger’s windows as well. Your power windows will work when the ignition has been turned to ACCESSORY or RUN or when Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is present. See “Retained Accessory Power” in the Index.

Press the rear of the switch with the power window symbol on it to lower the window or the front of the switch to raise it.

The driver’s window also has an express down feature that allows the window to be lowered without holding the switch. Press and hold the rear of the window switch for one second to activate the express down mode. The express down mode can be canceled at any time by pressing the opposite side of the switch. T o open the window partway , lightly tap the switch until the window is at the desired position.

If you have power windows, the driver’s door power window switch has a lockout feature. This feature prevents the rear windows from operating except from the driver’s position when the front driver’s door button labeled WINDOW LOCK is engaged. When the button is not engaged, the rear power windows will operate.

2-3

Keys

CAUTION:

Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or others could be badly injured or even killed.

They could operate the power windows or other controls or even make the vehicle move. Don’t leave the keys in a vehicle with children.

2-4

Your vehicle has one double

-sided key for the

ignition and all door locks as well as the spare tire hoist lock.

Your vehicle may also have a key that locks and unlocks the center floor console only (if equipped).

If you ever lose your keys, your dealer will be able to assist you with obtaining replacements.

Door Locks

CAUTION:

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 won’t open it. You increase the chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash if the doors aren’t locked. So, wear safety belts properly and lock the doors whenever you drive.

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 your vehicle whenever you leave it.

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

2-5

There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle. Use the keyless entry system (if equipped) or use the

door key.

From the inside, to lock the door, slide the lever rearward. T o unlock the door, slide the lever forward.

Power Door Locks

Press the raised side of the switch, marked “L” on either front door to lock all the doors at once.

Press the recessed side of the switch marked “U” to unlock all the doors at once.

2-6

If your vehicle has this power door lock switch, press the bottom of the switch on either front door to lock all the doors at once.

Press the top of the switch to unlock all the doors at once.

On the passenger side of the rear cargo door or liftgate opening trim there is a power lock switch which can be used to lock or unlock all of the doors.

If the rear lock switch is pressed with the rear doors open, all of the doors will lock five seconds after the cargo doors are closed.

The power door locks will operate at any time without the ignition being on.

Operating the power locks may interact with the

-deterrent system (if equipped). See “Content

theft Theft

-Deterrent” in the Index.

Programmable Automatic Door Locks

Your vehicle is equipped with an auto lock/unlock feature which enables you to program your power door locks.

Your vehicle left the factory programmed to have the automatic lock feature lock all the doors when the vehicle speed is greater than 15 mph (24 km/h) for two seconds, and then unlock all the doors once the key is removed from the ignition. The following instructions detail how to program your door locks.

T o enter the program mode you need to:

1. Beginning with the ignition in OFF, pull back on the turn signal/multifunction lever all the way toward you and hold it while you perform the next step.

2. Turn your key to ON and OFF twice. Then, with the key in OFF, release the turn signal/multifunction lever. Once you do this, you will hear the lock switch lock and unlock.

2-7

3. You are now ready to program the automatic door locks. Select one of the following four programming options and follow the instructions. Y ou will have ten seconds to begin programming. If you exceed the ten second limit, the locks will automatically lock and unlock to indicate you have left the program mode. If this occurs, repeat the procedure beginning with Step 1. You can exit the program mode any time by turning the ignition to ON (the locks will automatically lock and unlock to indicate you are leaving the program mode). If the lock/unlock switches are not pressed while in the programming mode, the auto lock/unlock setting will not be modified.

The following is a list of the available programming options:

All doors lock/Only the driver’s door unlocks:

Press the lock side of the power lock switch on the door panel once and then the unlock side once. This option is unavailable on most vehicles not equipped with Keyless Entry.

All doors lock/All doors unlock: Press the lock side of the power lock switch on the door panel once, and then the unlock side twice. This is the factory setting.

All doors lock/None of the doors unlock: Press the lock side of the power lock switch on the door panel once, and then the unlock side three times.

No doors lock/None of the doors unlock: Press the lock side of the power lock switch on the door panel twice. This turns off the automatic lock feature.

For more information, see your dealer.

Lockout Prevention

This feature protects you from locking your key in the vehicle when the key is in the ignition and a door is open.

If the power lock switch is pressed when a door is open and the key is in the ignition, all of the doors will lock and then the driver’s door will unlock.

Child Security Locks (If Equipped)

With this feature, you can lock the rear side doors so they cannot be opened from the inside by passengers. This feature is located on the inside of the rear doors.

Move the button forward to engage the security feature. Move the button rearward to return the door locks to normal operation.

2-8

Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)

If your vehicle has this feature, you can lock and unlock your doors from about 3 feet (1 m) up to 100 feet (30 m) away using the remote keyless entry transmitter supplied with your vehicle.

Your keyless entry system operates on a radio frequency subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This device complies with RSS Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Changes or modifications to this system by other than an authorized service facility could void authorization to use this equipment.

-210 of Industry Canada.

At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is normal for any remote system. If the transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this:

Check the distance. You may be too far from your vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy or snowy weather.

Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be blocking the signal. T ake a few steps to the left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and try again.

Check to determine if battery replacement is necessary. See the instructions that follow.

If you’re still having trouble, see your dealer or a qualified technician for service.

Operation

UNLOCK: Pressing this button once will unlock the

driver’s door. The parking lamps will flash and the interior lights will come on. The ground illumination lamps will come on. Pressing UNLOCK again within three seconds will cause the remaining doors to unlock. The parking lamps will flash and the interior lights will come on.

2-9

LOCK: Pressing this button once will lock all of the

doors. Wait one second, then press LOCK again and the horn will chirp.

Operating the keyless entry transmitter may interact with the theft Deterrent” in the Index.

Remote Panic Alarm

When the button with the horn symbol on the keyless entry transmitter is pressed, the horn will sound and the headlamps and taillamps will flash for up to 30 seconds. This can be turned off by pressing the horn button again, waiting for 30 seconds, or starting the vehicle.

-deterrent system. See “Content-Theft

Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle

Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle. If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased through your dealer. Remember to bring any remaining transmitters with you when you go to your dealer. When the dealer matches the replacement transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters must also be matched. Once your dealer has coded the new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock your vehicle. Each vehicle can have only four transmitters matched to it.

Battery Replacement

Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless entry transmitter should last about two years.

You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won’t work at the normal range in any location. If you have to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works, it’s probably time to change the battery.

NOTICE:

When replacing the battery, use care not to touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body transferred to these surfaces may damage the transmitter.

2-10

T o replace the battery in the keyless entry transmitter:

1. Insert a dime in the slot between the covers of the transmitter housing near the key ring hole. Remove the bottom by twisting the dime.

2. Remove and replace the battery with a three CR2032 or equivalent battery, positive (+) side up.

3. Align the covers and snap them together.

4. Resynchronize the transmitter.

5. Check the operation of the transmitter.

-volt

Resynchronization

Resynchronization may be necessary due to the security method used by this system. The transmitter does not send the same signal twice to the receiver. The receiver will not respond to a signal that has been sent previously. This prevents anyone from recording and playing back the signal from the transmitter.

T o resynchronize your transmitter, stand close to your vehicle and press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on the transmitter at the same time for seven seconds. The door locks should cycle to confirm synchronization. If the locks do not cycle, see your dealer for service.

2-11

Liftgate Caution

CAUTION:

It can be dangerous to drive with the liftgate glass, liftgate or rear doors open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You can’t see or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.

If you must drive with the liftgate glass, liftgate or rear doors open or if electrical wiring or other cable connections must pass through the seal between the body and the liftgate glass, liftgate or rear doors:

Make sure all other windows are shut.

Turn the fan on your heating or cooling system to its highest speed with the setting on VENT or OUTSIDE AIR. That will force outside air into your vehicle. See “Comfort Controls” in the Index.

If you have air outlets on or under the instrument panel, open them all the way.

See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.

Liftgate Glass and Liftgate

T o open a mechanical lock system from the outside, insert the key into the lock and turn it counterclockwise to unlock the glass and liftgate.

The liftgate glass can be opened using the pushbutton on the liftgate after the doors have been unlocked. This can be done by using either the power door locks or the remote keyless entry system.

T o open the entire liftgate, lift the handle located in the center of the door.

To lock a power lock system from the outside, insert the key into the lock button and turn clockwise. All doors will lock. You may also use the keyless entry system or the power door locks to lock the liftgate and liftgate glass.

Panel Doors

T o open the rear panel doors, you must open the passenger’s side panel door first. If the door is locked, insert your door key in the lock and turn it counterclockwise to unlock it.

T o open the passenger’s side panel door, pull on the handle and pull the door open.

2-12

T o open the driver’s side panel door, first open the passenger’s side door. Then, pull the handle on the left door edge out and pull the door open.

T o close the doors, close the driver’s side door first. After securely closing the door, close the passenger’s side door. Make sure both doors are latched securely.

To lock the rear doors from outside the vehicle, put your key in the lock and turn it clockwise. If you have power door locks, you can lock the side doors as well as the rear doors from inside the vehicle. For more information, see “Power Door Locks” earlier in this section.

Your ignition and transmission will be locked. Also remember to lock the doors.

If the key is in the ignition, with any door open, and you try to lock your doors with the power door locks, the driver’s door will not stay locked. This will help to keep you from locking your keys in the vehicle.

Parking at Night

Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight. Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.

Theft

Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities. Although your vehicle has a number of theft features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it impossible to steal. However, there are ways you can help.

Key in the Ignition

If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an easy target for joy riders or professional thieves don’t do it.

When you park your vehicle and open the driver’s door, you’ll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.

-deterrent

-- so

Parking Lots

Even if you park in a lot where someone will be watching your vehicle, it’s still best to lock it up and take your keys. But what if you have to leave your ignition key? What if you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?

Put your valuables in a storage area, like your glove box.

Valuables can be locked in the center floor console.

If your vehicle has a remote keyless entry system, take the transmitter with you.

Lock all the doors except the driver’s.

2-13

Content Theft-Deterrent (If Equipped)

Your vehicle may be equipped with a content

-deterrent alarm system.

theft

With this system, the SECURITY message will flash as you open the door (if your ignition is off).

This message reminds you to activate the theft system. Here’ s how to do it:

1. Open the door.

2. Lock the door with the power door lock switch or the remote keyless entry transmitter. The SECURITY message should come on and stay on. If using the remote keyless entry transmitter, the door does not need to be open.

3. Close all doors. The SECURITY message should go off after approximately 15 seconds. The alarm is not armed until the SECURITY message goes off.

-deterrent

If a door is opened without the key or the remote keyless entry transmitter, the alarm will go off. Your vehicle’s headlamps will flash and the horn will sound for about two minutes, then will turn off to save the battery power.

Remember, the theft you lock the doors with a key or use the manual door lock. It activates only if you use a power door lock switch with the door open, or with the remote keyless entry transmitter. You should also remember that you can start your vehicle with the correct ignition key if the alarm has been set off.

Here’s how to avoid setting off the alarm by accident:

If you don’t want to activate the theft system, the vehicle should be locked with the door key after the doors are closed.

Always unlock a door with a key, or use the remote keyless entry transmitter. Unlocking a door any other way will set off the alarm if the system has been armed.

If you set off the alarm by accident, unlock any door with the key. You can also turn off the alarm by pressing UNLOCK on the remote keyless entry transmitter or by placing the key in the ignition and turning it to START.

-deterrent system won’t activate if

-deterrent

2-14

Testing the Alarm

The alarm can be tested by following these steps:

1. From inside the vehicle, lower the driver’s window and open the driver’s door.

2. Activate the system by locking the doors with the power door lock switch while the door is open, or with the remote keyless entry transmitter.

3. Get out of the vehicle, close the door and wait for the SECURITY message to go out.

4. Then reach in through the window, unlock the door with the manual door lock and open the door. This should set off the alarm.

If the alarm does not sound when it should but the vehicle’s headlamps flash, check to see if the horn works. The horn fuse may be blown. T o replace the fuse, see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index.

If the alarm does not sound or the vehicle’s headlamps do not flash, the vehicle should be serviced by an authorized service center.

Passlock

Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlock theft

-deterrent system.

Passlock is a passive theft-deterrent system. Passlock enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is turned with a valid key . If a correct key is not used or the ignition lock cylinder is tampered with, fuel is disabled.

If the engine stalls and the SECURITY message flashes, wait until the light stops flashing before trying to restart the engine. Remember to release the key from START as soon as the engine starts.

If the engine is running and the SECURITY message comes on, you will be able to restart the engine if you turn the engine off. However, your Passlock system is not working properly and must be serviced by your dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock at this time. You may also want to check the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index). See your dealer for service.

In an emergency , call the GM Roadside Assistance Center. See “Roadside Assistance” in the Index.

2-15

New Vehicle “Break-In”

NOTICE:

Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate “break run if you follow these guidelines:

-in.” But it will perform better in the long

Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for the first 500 miles (805 km). Don’t drive at any one speed slow

-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).

Don’t make full Avoid making hard stops for the first 200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time your new brake linings aren’t yet broken in. Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and earlier replacement. Follow this breaking time you get new brake linings. Don’t tow a trailer during break See “Towing a Trailer” in the Index for more information.

-throttle starts.

-in guideline every

-- fast or

-in.

Ignition Positions

You can use your key to turn the ignition switch to five different positions.

ACCESSORY (A): This position lets you use things like the radio, power windows and the windshield wipers when the engine is off. Push in the key and turn it toward you.

LOCK (B): This position locks your ignition and transmission. It’ s a theft be able to remove your key when the ignition is turned to LOCK.

-deterrent feature. You will only

2-16

NOTICE:

If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if so, is it all the way in? Turn the key only with your hand. Using a tool to force it could break the key or the ignition switch. If none of this works, then your vehicle needs service.

OFF (C): This position lets you turn off the engine.

Use OFF if you must have your vehicle in motion while the engine is off (for example, if your vehicle is being pushed).

RUN (D): This is the position for driving. START (E): This position starts your engine.

Retained Accessory Power (RAP) (If Equipped)

Your vehicle may be equipped with a Retained Accessory Power (RAP) feature which will allow certain features on your vehicle to continue to work up to 20 minutes after the ignition key is turned to OFF.

Your radio, power windows, sunroof (if equipped), and

OnStar ignition key is in RUN or ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned from RUN to OFF, these features will continue to work for up to 20 minutes or until a door is opened.

System (if equipped) will work when the

Starting Your Engine

Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). Your engine won’t start in any other position safety feature. T o restart when you’re already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.

-- that’s a

NOTICE:

Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped.

1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your engine gets warm.

2-17

NOTICE:

Holding your key in START for longer than 15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can damage your starter motor. Wait about 15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining your battery or damaging your starter.

2. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline. Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and holding it there as you hold the key in START for about three seconds. When the engine starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the vehicle starts briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds. This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.

2. If it doesn’t start within 10 seconds, push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor, while you hold the ignition key in START. When the engine starts, let go of the key and let up on the accelerator pedal. Wait about 15 seconds between each try.

When starting your engine in very cold weather

-18

(below 0_F or

1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to START and hold it there. When the engine starts, let go of the key. Use the accelerator pedal to maintain engine speed, if you have to, until your engine has run for a while.

C), do this:

2-18

NOTICE:

Your engine is designed to work with the electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical parts or accessories, you could change the way the engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment, check with your dealer. If you don’t, your engine might not perform properly.

Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)

In very cold weather, 0_F (

-18

C) or colder, the engine coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and better fuel economy during engine warm

-up. Usually, the

coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle.

To Use the Engine Coolant Heater

1. Turn off the engine.

2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The cord is located on the driver’s side of the engine compartment, near the power steering fluid reservoir.

3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110

-volt AC outlet.

CAUTION:

Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong kind of extension cord could overheat and cause a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded three 110

-volt AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach,

use a heavy rated for at least 15 amps.

4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the cord as it was before to keep it away from moving engine parts. If you don’t, it could be damaged.

How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact your dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that particular area.

-duty three-prong extension cord

-prong

2-19

Automatic Transmission Operation

There are several different positions for your shift lever. Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission

and features an electronic shift position indicator within the instrument panel cluster. This display must be powered anytime the shift lever is capable of being moved out of PARK (P). This means that if your key is in OFF, rather than LOCK, there will be a small current drain on your battery which could discharge your battery over a period of time. If you have to leave your key in the ignition in OFF for an extended period, it is recommended that you remove the IGN 0 fuse from the instrument panel fuse block. See “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index.

PARK (P): This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best position to use when you start your engine because your vehicle can’t move easily.

CAUTION:

It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.

Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is running unless you have to. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly level ground, always set your parking brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P).

CAUTION: (Continued)

2-20

CAUTION: (Continued)

If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle will be free to roll PARK (P) NEUTRAL. So, be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear, two high (4H) or four NEUTRAL. See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.

REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.

-- even if your shift lever is in

-- if your transfer case is in

-wheel high (2H) or four-wheel

-wheel low (4L) -- not in

NOTICE:

Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving forward could damage your transmission. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is stopped.

T o rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice or sand without damaging your transmission, see “Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.

NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn’t connect with the wheels. To restart when you’re already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when your two being towed.

-wheel drive vehicle is

CAUTION:

Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is “racing” (running at high speed) is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal, your vehicle could move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or objects. Don’t shift out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.

2-21

NOTICE:

Damage to your transmission caused by shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine racing isn’t covered by your warranty.

DRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving. If you

need more power for passing, and you’re:

Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h), push your accelerator pedal about halfway down.

Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the

accelerator all the way down. You’ll shift down to the next gear and have more power. DRIVE (D) can be used when towing a trailer, carrying

a heavy load, driving on steep hills or for off-road driving. You may want to shift the transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower gear selection if the transmission shifts too often.

THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal driving, however it offers more power and lower fuel economy than DRIVE (D).

SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you would also want to use your brakes off and on.

If you manually select SECOND (2) in a light duty automatic transmission, the transmission will drive in second gear . You may use this feature for reducing the speed of the rear wheels when you are trying to start your vehicle from a stop on slippery road surfaces.

FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power (but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the selector lever is put in FIRST (1) while the vehicle is moving forward, the transmission won’t shift into first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.

2-22

Chevrolet Tahoe 2001 Owner's Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Features and Controls

Comfort Controls and Audio Systems

Your Driving and the Road

Problems on the Road

Service and Appearance Care

Maintenance Schedule

Customer Assistance Information

For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a French Language Manual:

How to Use this Manual

Safety Warnings and Symbols

Vehicle Damage Warnings

Vehicle Symbols

Model Reference

Service Station Guide

Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems

Seats and Seat Controls

Manual Front Seat

Manual Cushion Tilt (If Equipped)

Manual Lumbar Control (If Equipped)

Power Seat(s) (If Equipped)

Power Lumbar Control (If Equipped)

Memory Seat (If Equipped)

Heated Front Seats (If Equipped)

Reclining Seatbacks

Head Restraints

Rear Seats

Entry to the Third Seat

Folding the Third Seat

Fold and Tilt Feature (Suburban/Yukon XL Third Seat)

Removing the Third Row Seat

Replacing the Rear Seat

Why Safety Belts Work

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly

Adults

Driver Position

Lap-Shoulder Belt

Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy

Right Front Passenger Position

Air Bag Systems

How the Air Bag Systems Work

Where are the air bags?

When should an air bag inflate?

What makes an air bag inflate?

How does an air bag restrain?

What will you see after an air bag inflates?

Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle

Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle

Lap Belt

Rear Seat Passengers

Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions

Lap-Shoulder Belt

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults

Children

Infants and Young Children

Restraint Systems for Children

Where to Put the Restraint

Top Strap

Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position

Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear Seat Position

Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front Seat Position

Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position

Older Children

Safety Belt Extender

Checking Your Restraint Systems

Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash

Section 2 Features and Controls

Windows

Manual Windows

Power Windows (If Equipped)

Keys

Door Locks

Power Door Locks

Programmable Automatic Door Locks

Lockout Prevention

Child Security Locks (If Equipped)

Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)