Chevrolet Traverse 2009 User Manual

2009 Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual M

Seats and Restraint System

............................... 1-1

Head Restraints Front Seats Rear Seats Safety Belts Child Restraints Airbag System Restraint System

Check

.................... 1-3

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

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

...................... 1-59

.............. 1-2

............. 1-27

.............. 1-46

Features and Controls

Keys Doors and Locks Windows Theft-Deterrent

Starting and Operating Mirrors

Object Detection OnStar

............................. 2-2

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

Systems Your Vehicle

Systems

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

............. 2-20

......................... 2-31

................... 2-36

System

............ 2-43

............ 2-8

...... 2-1

Universal Home Remote

System Storage Areas Sunroof

Instrument Panel

Overview Climate Controls Warning Lights, Gages,

and Indicators Driver Information

Center (DIC) Audio System(s)

..................... 2-47

............... 2-52

........................ 2-56

............... 3-1

.................... 3-4

............ 3-19

............ 3-30

............. 3-44

............ 3-73

Driving Your Vehicle

Your Driving, the Road,

and the Vehicle Towing

........................ 4-21

Service and Appearance Care

Service Fuel Checking Things Under

the Hood

.......................... 5-3

.............................. 5-5

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

.................... 5-9

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

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

Headlamp Aiming Bulb Replacement Windshield Wiper Blade

Replacement Tires Appearance Care Vehicle Identiﬁcation Electrical System Capacities and

........................... 5-36

Speciﬁcations

.......... 5-33

......... 5-33

............. 5-35

.......... 5-78

........... 5-85

............ 5-92

Maintenance Schedule

Customer Assistance Information

Customer Assistance and

Information Reporting Safety

Defects Vehicle Data Recording

and Privacy

Index

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

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

..................... 7-14

............... 7-16

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

...... 5-85

...... 6-1

..... 6-1

ii Preface

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem, are registered trademarks, and the name Traverse is a trademark of General Motors Corporation.

This manual includes the latest information at the time it was printed. GM reserves 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 wherever it appears in this manual.

Litho in U.S.A. Part No. 25792022 B Second Printing

This manual describesfeatures that may or may not be on your speciﬁc vehicle.

Read this owner manual from beginning to end to learn about the vehicle’s features and controls. Pictures, symbols, and words work together to explain vehicle operation.

Keep this manual in the vehicle for quick reference.

Canadian Owners

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

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

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

Propriétaires Canadiens

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

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

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

Index

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

Preface iii

Safety Warnings and Symbols

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

A box with the word CAUTION is used to tell about things that could hurt you or others if you were to ignore the warning.

{ CAUTION

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

Cautions tell what the hazard is and what to do to avoid or reduce the hazard. Read these cautions.

A notice tells about something that can damage the vehicle.

Notice: These mean there is something that could damage your vehicle.

Many times, this damage would not be covered by the vehicle’s warranty, and it could be costly. The notice tells what to do to help avoid the damage.

There are also warning labels on the vehicle which use the same words, CAUTION or Notice.

Vehicle Symbols

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

M : This symbol is shown when

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

* : This symbol is shown when

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

iv Preface

Vehicle Symbol Chart

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

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

Controls or OnStar

$ : Brake System Warning Light " : Charging System

I : Cruise Control

B : Engine Coolant Temperature

O : Exterior Lamps

# : Fog Lamps

. : Fuel Gage

+ : Fuses

i : Headlamp High/Low-Beam

Changer

j : LATCH System Child Restraints

* : Malfunction Indicator Lamp : : Oil Pressure

g : Outside Power Foldaway

Mirrors

} : Power / : Remote Vehicle Start > : Safety Belt Reminders 7 : Tire Pressure Monitor _ : Tow/Haul Mode

F : Traction Control M : Windshield Washer Fluid

Seats and Restraint System 1-1

Seats and Restraint System

Head Restraints

Front Seats

Manual Seats Seat Height Adjuster Power Seats Manual Lumbar Power Lumbar Heated Seats Heated and Cooled Seats Memory Seat and Mirrors Reclining Seatbacks

Rear Seats

Rear Seat Operation Third Row Seats

....................1-2

.......................1-3

..............1-3

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

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

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

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

......1-5

.......1-6

..............1-8

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

.................1-12

Safety Belts

Safety Belts: They Are for

Everyone

How to Wear Safety Belts

Properly Lap-Shoulder Belt Safety Belt Use During

Pregnancy Safety Belt Extender

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

............................1-17

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

........................1-26

............1-27

Child Restraints

Older Children Infants and Young

Children Child Restraint Systems Where to Put the

Restraint Lower Anchors and Tethers

for Children (LATCH) Securing a Child Restraint

in a Rear Seat Position Securing a Child Restraint

in the Right Front Seat

Position

.....................1-27

............................1-29

...........................1-33

..........1-35

............................1-43

........1-32

......1-41

Airbag System

Airbag System Where Are the Airbags? When Should an Airbag

Inﬂate?

What Makes an Airbag

Inﬂate?

How Does an Airbag

Restrain?

What Will You See After

an Airbag Inﬂates? Passenger Sensing System Servicing Your

Airbag-Equipped Vehicle Adding Equipment to Your

Airbag-Equipped Vehicle

....................1-46

.............................1-49

.............................1-51

..........................1-51

.............1-51

Restraint System Check

Checking the Restraint

Systems Replacing Restraint System

Parts After a Crash

...........................1-59

............1-60

.......1-48

...1-53

.....1-57

.....1-58

1-2 Seats and Restraint System

Head Restraints

The vehicle’s front seats have adjustable head restraints in all outboard seating positions.

{ CAUTION

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

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

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

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

Seats and Restraint System 1-3

Front Seats

Manual Seats

{ 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 do not want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when the vehicle is not moving.

A. Manual Seat Adjustment Bar B. Driver Seat Height Adjuster. See

Seat Height Adjuster on page 1-3.

C. Manual Reclining Seatback

Lever. See Reclining Seatbacks on page 1-8.

If the vehicle has a manual bucket seat you can adjust the seat forward or rearward with the bar located under the front of the seat cushion.

Lift the bar to unlock the seat. Slide the seat to where you want it and release the bar. Try to move the seat with your body to be sure the seat is locked in place.

Seat Height Adjuster

If the vehicle has a manual driver seat height adjuster, it is located on the outboard side of the seat. See Manual Seats on page 1-3 for more information. To raise the seat, move the lever upward repeatedly until the seat is at the desired height. To lower the seat, move the lever downward repeatedly until the seat is at the desired height.

1-4 Seats and Restraint System

Power Seats

Driver Seat with Power Seat Control, Power Recline, and

Power Lumbar shown

A. Power Seat Adjustment Control B. Reclining Seatbacks on

page 1-8.

C. Power Lumbar on page 1-5. If the vehicle has power seats, the

controls are located on the outboard side of the seats.

Move the seat forward or rearward by sliding the power seat adjustment control (A) forward or rearward.

The vehicle may have additional features to adjust the power seat:

• Raise or lower the entire seat

by moving the power seat adjustment control (A) up or down.

• Raise or lower the front part of

the seat cushion by moving the front of the control up or down.

• Raise or lower the rear part of

the seat cushion by moving the rear of the control up or down.

The vehicle may have a memory function which allows seat settings to be saved and recalled. See

Memory Seat and Mirrors on page 1-6 for more information.

Manual Lumbar

If the vehicle has this feature, the handle is located on the inboard side of the seatback. See Manual Seats on page 1-3 for more information.

Turn the handle rearward to decrease lumbar support. Turn the handle forward to increase lumbar support.

The lumbar support may need to be adjusted when changing the seating position.

Seats and Restraint System 1-5

Power Lumbar

If the seats have power lumbar, the controls used to operate this feature are located on the outboard side of the seats. See “Power Lumbar” under Power Seats on page 1-4 for more information.

To increase or decrease lumbar support, press and hold the front or rear of the control (C).

Release the control when the seatback reaches the desired level of lumbar support.

The lumbar support may need to be adjusted when changing the seating position.

Heated Seats

On vehicles with heated front seats, the controls are located on the center console. To operate the heated seats the engine must be running.

I (Heated Seatback): Press to

turn on the heated seatback.

J (Heated Seat and Seatback):

Press to turn on or off the heated seat and seatback.

The light on the button will come on to indicate that the feature is on. Each time the button is pressed, the temperature settings change from high, to medium, to low, to off. Indicator lights above the button will show the level of heat selected: three for high, two for medium, and one for low.

The passenger seat may take longer to heat up.

If the vehicle has remote vehicle start and is started using the remote keyless entry transmitter, the front heated seats will be turned on to the high setting if it is cold outside.

See “Remote Vehicle Start” under

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation on page 2-4.

When the ignition is turned on, the heated seat feature will turn off. To turn the heated seat feature back on, press the desired button.

Heated and Cooled Seats

If the front seats have the heated and cooled seat feature, the buttons used to control this feature are located on the front doors near the door handle.

H (Cooled Seat): To cool the

entire seat, press the button with the cooled seat symbol.

This symbol will appear on the climate control display to indicate that the feature is on. Press the button to cycle through the temperature settings of high, medium, and low and to turn the cooled seat off. Indicator bars next to the symbol designate the level of cooling selected: three for high, two for medium, and one for low.

1-6 Seats and Restraint System

z (Heated Seat and Seatback): To

heat the entire seat, press the button with the heated seat and seatback symbol.

This symbol will appear on the climate control display to indicate that the feature is on. Press the button to cycle through the temperature settings of high, medium, and low and to turn the heated seat off. Indicator bars next to the symbol designate the level of heat selected: three for high, two for medium, and one for low.

The heated and cooled seats will be canceled after the ignition is turned off. To use the heated and cooled seat feature after the vehicle is started, you will need to press the appropriate seat button again.

Memory Seat and Mirrors

On vehicles with the memory package, the controls for this feature are located on the driver door panel. The controls are used to program and recall memory settings for the driver seat and outside mirrors.

To save positions in memory:

1. Adjust the driver seat, including the seatback recliner and both outside mirrors to a comfortable position.

See Outside Power Mirrors on page 2-32 for more information.

Not all mirrors will have the ability to save and recall the mirror positions.

2. Press and hold button 1 until two beeps let you know that the position has been stored.

A second seating and mirror position can be programmed by repeating the above steps and pressing button 2.

To recall the memory positions, the vehicle must be in P (Park). Press and release either button 1 or button 2 corresponding to the desired driving position. The seat and outside mirrors will move to the position previously stored. You will hear a single beep.

Using the RKE transmitter to enter the vehicle, with the remote recall memory feature on, causes automatic seat and mirror adjustment. There is no adjustment when the position has not been changed by another seating position or the easy exit feature.

Seats and Restraint System 1-7

See “MEMORY SEAT RECALL” under DIC Vehicle Customization (With DIC Buttons) on page 3-65 for more information.

To stop recall movement of the memory feature at any time, press one of the power seat controls, memory buttons, or power mirror buttons.

If something has blocked the driver seat while recalling a memory position, the driver seat recall may stop working. If this happens, press the appropriate control for the area that is not recalling for two seconds, after the obstruction is removed. Then try recalling the memory position again by pressing the appropriate memory button. If the memory position is still not being recalled, see your dealer/retailer for service.

Easy Exit Seat

The control for this feature is located on the driver door panel between buttons 1 and 2.

With the vehicle in P (Park), the exit position can be recalled by pressing the exit button. You will hear a single beep. The driver seat will move back.

If the easy exit seat feature is on in the Driver Information Center (DIC), automatic seat movement will occur when the key is removed from the ignition. See “EASY EXIT SEAT” under DIC Vehicle Customization (With DIC Buttons) on page 3-65 for more information.

Further programming for the memory seat feature can be done using the DIC. You can select or cancel the following:

• The automatic easy exit seat

feature.

• The remote memory seat recall

feature.

For programming information, see

DIC Vehicle Customization (With DIC Buttons) on page 3-65.

1-8 Seats and Restraint System

Reclining Seatbacks

Manual Reclining Seatbacks

{ CAUTION

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

In vehicles with seats that have manual reclining seatbacks, the lever used to operate them is located on the outboard side of the seat.

To recline the seatback, do the following:

1. Lift the recline lever.

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

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

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

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

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

Power Reclining Seatbacks

In vehicles with seats that have power reclining seatbacks, the control used to recline them is located on the outboard side of the seat behind the power seat control. See Power Seats on page 1-4 for more information.

• To recline the seatback, tilt the

top of the control rearward.

• To bring the seatback forward, tilt

the top of the control forward.

Seats and Restraint System 1-9

{ CAUTION

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

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

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

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

Rear Seats

Rear Seat Operation

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

A. Seat Adjustment Handle B. Reclining Seatback Strap C. Sliding Seat Lever

1-10 Seats and Restraint System

Entering and Exiting the Third Row

{ CAUTION

Using the third row seating position while the second row is folded, or folded and tumbled, could cause injury in a sudden stop or crash. Be sure to return the seat to the passenger seating position. Push and pull on the seat to make sure it is locked into place.

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

3. Place folding armrests in the upright position.

4. Ensure that the safety belt is unfastened and in the stowed position.

5. Pull the sliding seat lever (C) forward and move the seatback forward. The seat cushion will fold, and the entire seat will slide forward.

To access the third row:

1. Remove objects on the ﬂoor in front of or on the second row seat, or in the seat tracks on the ﬂoor.

2. Move the front center console armrest completely forward. See Center Console Storage on page 2-52.

Seats and Restraint System 1-11

Returning the Seat to the Seating Position

To return the second row seat to its normal seating position:

1. Remove objects on the ﬂoor behind the second row seat or in the seat tracks on the ﬂoor.

2. Pull the seatback rearward until it is locked in place.

3. Slide the seat rearward by pushing on the seatback until it is locked into place.

4. Push down on the rear of the seat cushion until it is locked in place.

5. Push and pull on the seatback and seat cushion to make sure they are locked in place.

6. Check that the safety belt is not under the seat cushion.

Reclining the Seatbacks

To recline the seatback:

1. Leaning forward in the seat, pull the reclining seatback strap (B).

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

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

Folding the Rear Seat

To fold the second row seats:

1. Remove anything on or under the seat.

2. Place the armrest in the upright position, and unfasten the safety belt.

3. Pull forward on the reclining seatback strap (B) and push down on the seatback.

If the headrest touches the front seat, slide the second row seat rearward.

To return the seatback to the seating position, lift the upper corner of the seatback and push it rearward until it locks into place. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked.

Adjusting the Seats

To adjust the second row seats, pull outward on the seat adjustment handle (A). Slide the seat forward or rearward to the desired position. Release the handle and push and pull on the seat to make sure it is locked.

1-12 Seats and Restraint System

Third Row Seats

{ CAUTION

Using the third row seating position while the second row is folded, or pushed forward in the entry position, could cause injury in a sudden stop or crash. Be sure to return the seat to the passenger seating position. Push and pull on the seat to make sure it is locked into place.

The third row seats can be folded forward or removed.

To fold the seatback:

1. Remove anything on or under the seat.

2. Disconnect the rear safety belt mini-latch, using a key in the slot on the mini-buckle, let the belt retract into the headliner. Stow the mini-latch in the holder located in the headliner.

3. Pull up on the release lever located on the back of the seat. The headrest moves forward automatically.

4. Push the seatback forward to lay ﬂat.

To return the seatback to the seating position:

1. Raise the seatback into place by using the pullstrap from the rear of the vehicle, or by pushing it into place from inside the vehicle.

Seats and Restraint System 1-13

2. The headrest must be locked into place before sitting in the seat.

{ CAUTION

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

{ CAUTION

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

(Continued)

CAUTION (Continued)

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

4. Reconnect the center safety belt mini-latch to the mini-buckle. Do not let it twist.

5. Pull on the safety belt to be sure the mini-latch is secure.

Removing the Third Row Seats

1. Remove the cargo management system, if it is in the vehicle. See Cargo Management System on page 2-55.

2. Remove anything on or under the seat.

Notice: Folding a rear seat with the safety belts still fastened may cause damage to the seat or the safety belts. Always unbuckle the

safety belts and return them to their normal stowed position before folding a rear seat.

3. Fold the seatback down. See “Folding the Seatback” earlier in this section.

4. Remove the rear bolts located on the ﬂoor on each side of the seat.

5. Remove the seat by tilting it slightly upward, and then pulling it out of the rear of the vehicle in one motion.

6. Replace the bolts in the ﬂoor holes for storage.

Installing the Third Row Seats

1. Before installing the seat the seatback must be folded forward. See “Folding the Seatback” earlier in this section.

The seats must be placed in the proper locations to attach correctly. The wider seat must be installed on the driver side and the narrower seat on the passenger side.

1-14 Seats and Restraint System

Remove the bolts from the holes in the ﬂoor before installing the seats.

2. Place the seat on the vehicle ﬂoor so that the front seat hooks are on the vehicle bars.

3. Reinstall the bolts, and torque to 55 Y (41 lb ft). Pull up on the seat to make sure it is locked in place.

4. Raise the seatback to its upright position. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked into place.

5. Push the headrest up into position. Push and pull on the headrest to make sure it is locked into place.

6. Reconnect the center safety belt mini-latch to the mini-buckle. Do not let it twist.

Safety Belts

Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone

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

{ CAUTION

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

{ 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.

This vehicle has indicators as a reminder to buckle the safety belts. See Safety Belt Reminders on page 3-32 for additional information.

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

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

Seats and Restraint System 1-15

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

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

Why Safety Belts Work

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

Put someone on it.

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

1-16 Seats and Restraint System

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

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!

Seats and Restraint System 1-17

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

Questions and Answers About Safety Belts

Will I be trapped in the vehicle

after a crash if I am wearing a safety belt?

A: You could be — whether you are

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

Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why

should I have to wear safety belts?

A: Airbags are supplemental

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

Q: If I am a good driver, and I

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

A: You may be an excellent driver,

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

Most accidents occur within 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.

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly

This section is only for people of adult size.

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

page 1-27 or Infants and Young Children on page 1-29. Follow those

rules for everyone’s protection. It is very important for all occupants

to buckle up. Statistics show that unbelted people are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts.

1-18 Seats and Restraint System

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

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

Sit up straight and always keep your feet on the ﬂoor in front of you. The lap part of the belt should be

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

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

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It

will not give as much protection this way.

{ 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 snugly against your body.

Seats and Restraint System 1-19

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The lap belt is too loose. It will

not give nearly as much protection this way.

{ CAUTION

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

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The belt is buckled in the wrong

buckle.

{ 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 on the pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. Always buckle your belt into the buckle nearest you.

1-20 Seats and Restraint System

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The belt is over an armrest.

{ CAUTION

You can be seriously injured if your belt goes over an armrest like this. The belt would be much too high. In a crash, you can slide under the belt. The belt force

(Continued)

CAUTION (Continued)

would then be applied on the abdomen, not on the pelvic bones, and that could cause serious or fatal injuries. Be sure the belt goes under the armrests.

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The shoulder belt is worn under

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

{ 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 are not as strong as shoulder bones. You could also severely injure internal organs like your liver or spleen. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest.

Seats and Restraint System 1-21

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The belt is behind the body.

{ CAUTION

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

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The belt is twisted across

the body.

{ CAUTION

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

1-22 Seats and Restraint System

Lap-Shoulder Belt

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

If you are using a rear seating position with a detachable safety belt and the safety belt is not attached, see Third Row Seats on page 1-12 for instruction on reconnecting the safety belt to the mini-buckle.

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

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

2. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it get twisted.

The lap-shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you more slowly.

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

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

4. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 1-27.

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

5. If equipped with a shoulder belt height adjuster, move it to the height that is right for you.

Seats and Restraint System 1-23

See “Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment” later in this section for instructions on use and important safety information.

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

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

To unlatch the belt, push the button on the buckle. The belt should return to its stowed position. Slide the latch plate up the safety belt webbing when the safety belt is not in use. The latch plate should rest on the stitching on the safety belt, near the guide loop on the side wall.

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

Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster

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

Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the belt is centered on the shoulder. The belt should be away from the face and neck, but not falling off of the shoulder. Improper shoulder belt height adjustment could reduce the effectiveness of the safety belt in a crash.

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

1-24 Seats and Restraint System

You can move the height adjuster up by pushing up on the shoulder belt guide.

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

Safety Belt Pretensioners

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

Pretensioners work only once. If the pretensioners activate in a crash, they will need to be replaced, and probably other new parts for the vehicle’s safety belt system. See Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash on page 1-60.

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides

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

There is a guide for each outboard passenger position in the second row seat and all passenger positions in the third row.

Here is how to install a comfort guide to the safety belt:

Outboard Positions

1. For the outboard positions, remove the guide from its storage clip on the interior body.

For the third row center position, locate the comfort guide which is located in a storage pocket, at the top of the seat, under the headrest on the driver’s side of the vehicle.

Seats and Restraint System 1-25

To access the comfort guide, you will ﬁrst need to move the headrest forward by pulling on the handle behind the seatback. The comfort guide will now be accessible.

Third Row Center Position

Pull the comfort guide out of its storage location and then return the headrest to its upright position.

The elastic cord on the comfort guide is adjustable. You can make it longer or shorter by squeezing both ends of the plastic adjuster.

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

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

1-26 Seats and Restraint System

{ CAUTION

A safety belt that is not properly worn may not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. 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.

4. Buckle, position, and release the safety belt as described previously in this section. Make sure that the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder.

To remove and store the comfort guide, squeeze the belt edges together so that the safety belt can be removed from the guide. Slide the guide into its storage location or on its storage clip.

Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy

Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be seriously injured if they do not wear safety belts.

A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion should be worn as low as possible, below the rounding, throughout the pregnancy.

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