Oldsmobile SILHOUETTE 1999 Owner Manual

The 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette Owner’s Manual

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1-1 Seats and Restraint Systems

This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the “SRS” system.

2-1 Features and Controls

This section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.

3-1 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems

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

4-1 Your Driving and the Road

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

5-1 Problems on the Road

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

6-1 Service and Appearance Care

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

7-1 Maintenance Schedule

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

8-1 Customer Assistance Information

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

9-1 Index

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

-10.

i

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
OLDSMOBILE, the OLDSMOBILE Rocket Emblem
and the name SILHOUETTE are registered trademarks
of General Motors Corporation.

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

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

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We support voluntary
technician certification.

For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:

Aux propriétaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous

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

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

Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 22600385 B First Edition All Rights Reserved

E

Copyright General Motors Corporation 1998

ii

How to Use this Manual

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

Index

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

Safety Warnings and Symbols

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

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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.

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.”

iii

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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.

iv

Vehicle Symbols

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

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

CAUTION

POSSIBLE

INJURY

PROTECT

EYES BY

SHIELDING

CAUSTIC
BATTERY

ACID COULD

CAUSE

BURNS

AVOID

SPARKS OR

FLAMES

SPARK OR

FLAME

COULD

EXPLODE

BATTERY

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

DOOR LOCK

UNLOCK

FASTEN

SEAT

BELTS

POWER

WINDOW

AIR BAG

These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:

MASTER

LIGHTING

SWITCH

TURN

SIGNALS

PARKING

LAMPS

HAZARD
WARNING
FLASHER

DAYTIME

RUNNING

LAMPS

FOG LAMPS

These symbols
are on some of
your controls:

WINDSHIELD

WIPER

WINDSHIELD

WASHER

WINDSHIELD

DEFROSTER

REAR

WINDOW

DEFOGGER

VENTILATING

FAN

These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:

ENGINE

COOLANT

TEMP

BATTERY

CHARGING

SYSTEM

BRAKE

COOLANT

ENGINE OIL

PRESSURE

ANTI-LOCK

BRAKES

Here are some
other symbols
you may see:

FUSE

LIGHTER

HORN

SPEAKER

FUEL

v

✍

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NOTES

vi

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Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems

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

1

-2 Seats and Seat Controls

1

-6 Rear Seats

-23 Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone

1
1

-28 Here Are Questions Many People Ask About

Safety Belts

1

-29 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly

1

-29 Driver Position

-37 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy

1
1

-38 Right Front Passenger Position

-38 Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS)

1
1

-46 Safety Belt Pretensioners

1

-50 Rear Seat Passengers

1-

-- and the Answers

1

-50 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children

and Small Adults

1-52 Center Passenger Position (Bench Seat)
1

-54 Center Passenger Position (Bucket Seat)

-56 Children

1
1

-59 Built-in Child Restraint (Option)

1

-70 Child Restraints

-85 Larger Children

1
1

-88 Safety Belt Extender

-88 Checking Your Restraint Systems

1
1

-88 Replacing Restraint System Parts After

a Crash

1-1

Seats and Seat Controls

This section tells you about the seats -- how to adjust
them, take them out, put them back in and fold and
unfold them.

Driver’s 4-Way Manual Seat

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T o raise the seat, pull up on the lever on the front right
side of the seat. T o lower the seat, push the lever down.

CAUTION:

Use the lever on the front left side of the seat to adjust
the seat forward or rearward. Pull up the lever on the
front of the seat to unlock it. Slide the seat to where you
want it.

T o make sure the seat is locked into place, release the
lever and try to move the seat with your body.

1-2

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.

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Manual Front Passenger Seats

T o move the seat, pull up
the lever on the front of the
seat to unlock it.

Slide the seat to where you want it. T o make sure the
seat is locked into place, release the lever and try to
move the seat with your body.

6-Way Power Seat (Option)

T o adjust the six-way power seat:
Front Control (A): Raise the front of the seat by

holding the switch up. Hold the switch down to lower
the front of the seat.

Center Control (B): Move the seat forward or rearward
by holding the control to the front or rear. Raise or lower
the seat by holding the control up or down.

Rear Control (C): Raise the rear of the seat by holding
the switch up. Hold the switch down to lower the rear of
the seat.

1-3

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Manual Lumbar Control

The knob for the lumbar
control is located on the
side of the seat.

Turn this knob to adjust the support for the lower back.

Reclining Front Seatbacks

All front seats recline.

T o adjust the seatback, turn
this knob. It is easier to
recline the seat if you lean
forward, taking your weight
off the seatback.

1-4

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

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CAUTION:

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

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

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

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

1-5

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.

Folding Seatbacks

The seatbacks on the second
row seats fold forward to
put items behind the left and
right seats. Lift the lever
and fold the seatback
forward. The seatback will
lock into place when you
push it back to the
upright position.

Rear Seats

Seat Controls

The rear seats in your vehicle have levers and straps
used to adjust, remove and replace the seats. By using
the levers and straps, in the correct order, you can easily
remove the seats from your vehicle.

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Floor Seat Pin Diagram

When you replace the seats in the vehicle, be sure to
follow the label on the back of the seat for proper
location. Follow the diagram above when the text in this
manual tells you what sets of floor cups to use for
each seat.

1-6

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Second Row Safety Belt Stowage

If your vehicle has seats in the third row, there is a
sleeve on the second row outside safety belt to store the
safety belt while entering and exiting the third row of
the vehicle.

If your vehicle has a split bench seat in the second row,
follow this procedure:

D

Pull the belt out and slide the sleeve along the belt
until it reaches the patch of Velcro

D

Simply press the sleeve against the Velcro patch to
secure it in place.

Do not have the second row outside safety belt stored if
someone is sitting in the second row outside position.

T o release the second row outside safety belt, just pull
the sleeve away from the Velcro patch and use the safety
belt as usual. The sleeve should slide freely when not
in use.

There is also a clip on the safety belt used to secure the
belt after it is disconnected from the mini-buckle. When
removing the split second row bench seat, secure the
loose end of the safety belt in this clip. This will keep
the safety belt from dangling and possibly
striking something.

R

on the roof.

Flip and Fold Feature

The rear seats in your vehicle, except the captain’s
chairs, can be folded forward. Use this feature for
exiting and entering third row seats.

1. Push the adjustable head restraints fully down.

2. Fold the seatback flat on the seat. If the seat adjusts,
slide it all the way back.

3. Release the rear set of hooks from the floor pins;
hang on to the straps as the seat folds forward.

1-7

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Split Bench Seats

If you have the split bench seat (50/50 or 40/60), the
seatbacks can be folded down individually and the
sections can be removed individually. The sections can
also be adjusted forward or rearward individually.

The second row (40/60) split bench may be equipped
with built
Restraint” in the Index.

Folding or Reclining the Seatbacks

The seatbacks on each section of the split bench seat can
be either folded down or reclined. The following
explains how to use either the nylon strap or the lever to
fold or recline the seatbacks.

-in child restraint(s). See “Built-In Child

T o fold down the seatback,
pull this nylon strap on the
rear of the seat.

T o raise a seatback, pull the nylon strap while raising the
seatback until it locks upright.

T o fold down the seatback,
lift up on this lever located
on the front of the seatback.

Use the lever to raise or lower the seatback to the
desired position.

When raising or reclining a seatback to an upright
position, push and pull on the seatback to check that it is
locked upright.

1-8

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Adjusting the Split Bench Seats

There are two adjustment levers on each section of the
split bench seats to adjust the seat forward or rearward.

One is located below the center, in the front of each
section of the split bench.

The other lever is located on
the rear of the seat.

Lift up either lever and slide the seat forward to allow
for extra storage behind the seat, or slide the seat back to
allow extra room for passengers.

Release the lever. Push and pull on the seat to be sure it
is locked into place.

1-9

Removing the Split Bench Seat

Make sure the seatback is in the upright position and
that the safety belts are on the correct section of the seat.
The head restraints should be fully down.

1. For the second row split bench, with the seatback in
the upright position, unhook the side attachment for
the safety belt. This mini
right side of the seat.

3. Lift the seatback recliner lever or pull the nylon strap
on the back of the seat to fold the seatback forward.

4. Slide the seat all the way back by lifting either one of
the adjustment bars and sliding the seat fully rearward.

-buckle is located on the

2. Push the red center of
the buckle up with a
small pointed
object

-- like a key or a

pen to remove the seat
belt, if needed.

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5. From behind the bench seat, pull the nylon strap at
the base of the seat to release the rear latches from
the floor pins.

Do not let go of the straps until the seat is folded all
the way forward.

1-10

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6. T o unlatch the front latches, squeeze the angled latch
release bar toward the straight crossbar.

7. Remove the seat by rocking it slightly toward the
rear of the vehicle and then pulling it out.

Repeat these steps for the other section of the split
bench seat.

1-11

Replacing the Split Bench Sections

Don’t put the sections of the bench seat in so they face
rearward because they won’t latch that way. If you want
more storage room behind the seat, adjust each section
by sliding it forward.

The split benches have seat position labels, located on
the back of each seat, showing where the seat must go.
Follow that diagram.

D

The left (40) section of the 40/60 split bench uses the
A and B sets of floor cups.

D

The right (60) section of the 40/60 split bench uses
the C and D sets of floor cups.

D

The left section of the 50/50 split bench uses the G
and H sets of floor cups.

D

The right section of the 50/50 split bench uses the I
and J sets of floor cups.

See “Seat Controls” in the beginning of this section for
more details. The seat must be placed in the proper
location for the legs to attach correctly.

Make sure the seat is in the full rear position before
beginning this procedure.

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1. Squeeze the angled bar toward the solid crossbar
while placing the front hooks of the bench seat onto
the front two floor pins.

1-12

T o do this, the bench seat
will need to be angled so
that the front hooks clear
the floor pins.

If the front legs are not attached correctly, the rear
legs will not attach to the rear set of floor pins.

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If the front latches are not attaching correctly, check
that the seat is in the full rear position.

2. Firmly push the rear hooks onto the rear floor pins
by pushing down on the rear of the seat.

3. Try to raise the seat to check that it is locked down.

1-13

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.

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6. Attach the mini-buckle so that the safety belt is

ready for use when a passenger uses the seat.
The buckle reattaches by pushing the latch into the

buckle until the red center pops out again.
Repeat these steps for the other section of the split

bench seat.

4. Lift the seatback recliner lever or pull the nylon strap
on the back of the seat and raise the seatback until it
locks upright.

5. Push and pull on the seatback to check that it
is locked.

CAUTION:

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

1-14

CAUTION:

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

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Bucket Seats

There are three types of rear bucket seats: RIGHT
ONLY, CENTER OR LEFT and LEFT ONLY.
RIGHT ONLY and LEFT ONL Y seats may be equipped
with the built

The rear bucket seats can be removed to provide extra
storage. Each seat that has the built
option fits in only one location in your vehicle, but seats
that don’t have the built
moved to different rows.

Folding or Reclining the Seatbacks

The seatback on a bucket seat can be either folded down
or reclined. The following explains how to use either the
nylon strap or the lever to fold or recline the seatback.

-in child restraint option.

-in child restraint

-in child restraint option can be

T o fold down the seatback,
pull this nylon strap on the
rear of the seat.

T o raise a seatback, pull the nylon strap while raising the
seatback until it locks upright.

T o fold down the seatback,
lift up on this lever located
on the front of the seatback.

Use the lever to raise or lower the seatback to the
desired position.

When raising or reclining a seatback to an upright
position, push and pull on the seatback to check that it is
locked upright.

1-15

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Adjusting the Bucket Seats

There are two adjustment levers on each seat to adjust
the seat forward or rearward.

One is located below the center, in front of the
bucket seat.

The other lever is located on
the rear of the bucket seat.

Lift up either lever and slide the seat forward to allow
for extra storage behind the seat, or slide the seat back to
allow extra room for passengers.

Release the lever. Push and pull on the seat to be sure it
is locked into place.

1-16

Removing the Bucket Seats

Make sure the seatback is in the upright position.
The head restraints should be fully down.

1. Lift the seatback recliner lever or pull the nylon strap
on the back of the seat to fold the seatback forward.

2. Slide the seat all the way back by lifting either one of
the adjuster levers and sliding the seat fully rearward.

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3. From behind the seat, pull the nylon strap at the
base of the seat to release the rear latches from the
floor pins.

1-17

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You can also lift the lever on the side of the seat to
release the rear latches from the floor pins.

Do not let go of the straps or lever until the seat is
folded all the way forward.

1-18

4. T o unlatch the front latches, with the seat folded
forward, squeeze the angled latch release bar toward
the straight crossbar.

5. Remove the seat by rocking it slightly toward the
rear of the vehicle and then pulling it out. This
should be done in one motion.

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Replacing the Bucket Seats

Don’t put the seats in so they face rearward because they
won’t latch that way. If you want more storage room
behind the seat, adjust the seat by sliding it forward.

The bucket seats have seat position labels, located on the
back of the seat, showing where the seat must go.
Follow that diagram. See “Seat Controls” in the
beginning of this section for more details. The seat must
be placed in the proper location for the legs to
attach correctly.

RIGHT ONLY seats that don’t have the built
restraint option fit only in the right location of either
row, the E and F or I and J sets of floor cups.

The CENTER OR LEFT seat fits in the center location
or in either left location, the A and B, C and D or G
and H sets of floor cups.

The LEFT ONLY seats that don’t have the built
restraint option fit only in the left location of either row,
the A and B or G and H sets of floor cups.

RIGHT ONLY seats that have the built
option fit only in the right location of the second row,
the E and F sets of floor cups.

-in child

-in child

-in child restraint

LEFT ONLY seats that have the built
option fit only in the left location of the second row, the
A and B sets of floor cups.

Make sure the seat is in the full rear position before
beginning this procedure.

1. With the seat folded, squeeze the angled bar toward
the solid crossbar while placing the front hooks of
the bucket seat onto the front two floor pins.

T o do this, the seat will
need to be angled so that
the front hooks clear the
floor pins.

If the front legs are not attached correctly, the rear
legs will not attach to the rear set of floor pins.

-in child restraint

1-19

If the front latches are not attaching correctly, check
that the seat is in the full rear position.

2. Firmly push the rear hooks onto the rear floor pins
by pushing down on the rear of the seat.

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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.

3. Try to raise the seat to check that it is locked down.

4. Lift the seatback recliner lever or pull the nylon strap
on the back of the seat and raise the seatback until it
locks upright.

5. Push and pull on the seatback to check that it is
locked in place.

CAUTION:

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

1-20

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Captain’s Chairs

The captain’s chairs adjust like the manual front
passenger seats.

The seatback can be
reclined or raised by turning
the knob on the inboard side
of the seat. It is easier to
raise or lower the seatback
if you lean forward and take
the weight off the seatback.

The armrests can be lowered or raised for entering or
exiting the vehicle.

Removing the Captain’s Chairs

1. Pull the nylon strap behind the chair to release the
rear hooks from the floor pins.

1-21

2. The seat can then be lifted off the front floor pins
and removed from the vehicle.

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Replacing the Captain’s Chairs

The left chair goes in the A and C sets of floor pins.
The right chair goes in the D and F sets of floor pins.

1. Hook the front latches over the front floor pins.

1-22

2. Push the rear of the seat down to lock the rear latches
onto the rear set of floor pins.

3. Push and pull on the seat to be sure it is
properly attached.

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.

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Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone

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

And it explains the Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS), or 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.

1-23

CAUTION:

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

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

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

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

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

After more than 30 years of safety belts in vehicles,
the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does
matter ... a lot!

1-24

Why Safety Belts Work

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

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

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Put someone on it.

1-25

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

1-26

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.

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1-27

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Here Are Questions Many People Ask
About Safety Belts

Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an

Q:

accident if I’m wearing a safety belt?

-- and the Answers

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

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

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

wear safety belts?

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

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

-- not instead of them. Every air bag

Q: If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from

home, why should I wear safety belts?

A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in an

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

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

Safety belts are for everyone.

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

1-28

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly

Adults

This part is only for people of adult size.
Be aware that there are special things to know about

safety belts and children. And there are different rules
for smaller children and babies. If a child will be riding
in your vehicle, see the part of this manual called
“Children.” Follow those rules for
everyone’s protection.

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

We’ll start with the driver position.

Driver Position

This part describes the driver’s restraint system.

Lap-Shoulder Belt

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

1. Close and lock the door.

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

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

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.

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

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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.

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

The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or crash, or
if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor.

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Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster

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

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

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

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Q: What’s wrong with this?

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

as much protection this way.

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CAUTION:

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

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Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place.

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CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured if your belt is
buckled in the wrong place like this. In a crash,
the belt would go up over your abdomen. The
belt forces would be there, not at the pelvic
bones. This could cause serious internal injuries.
Always buckle your belt into the buckle
nearest you.

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Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The belt is over an armrest.

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

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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.

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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.

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Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The belt is twisted across the body.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS)

This part explains the frontal and side impact
Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) or
air bag systems.

Your vehicle has four air bags
frontal air bag for the driver, another “Next Generation”
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 “Next Generation”

Next Generation frontal air bags are designed to help
reduce the risk of injury from the force of an inflating
frontal air bag. But even these air bags must inflate very
quickly if they are 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
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
bags

-- are designed to work with safety belts but

don’t replace them.

-- even Next Generation air

CAUTION: (Continued)

-- even if you

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CAUTION: (Continued)

Next Generation 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

-speed frontal crashes. And, for unrestrained

occupants, Next Generation 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
for that person.

-- whether or not there’s an air bag

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. This is true even with Next
Generation frontal air bags. Safety belts help
keep you in position for air bag inflation before
and during a crash. Always wear your safety belt,
even with Next Generation 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:

Children who are up against, or very close to, any
air bag when it inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. This is true even though your vehicle
has Next Generation frontal air bags. Air bags
plus lap
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” and see the caution labels on the
sunvisors and the right front passenger’s
safety belt.

-shoulder belts offer the best protection

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

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.

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

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

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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. The frontal air bags 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 15 mph (14 to 24 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 driver’s and right front passenger’s side impact air
bags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe side
crashes involving a front door. 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 of the
impact and how quickly the side of the vehicle deforms.

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

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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
hot for a short 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.

-- the

-- will be

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.

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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.

D

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.

D

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.

D

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.

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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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If your vehicle ever gets into a lot of water -- such as
water up to the carpeting or higher
your vehicle and soaks the carpet, the air bag controller
can be soaked and ruined. If this ever happens, and then
you start your vehicle, the damage could make the
frontal and side impact air bags inflate and safety belt
pretensioners activate, even if there’s no crash. You
would have to replace the air bags, all the sensors and
related parts, parts of the safety belt system and parts of
the driver and right front passenger’s seatbacks. If your
vehicle is ever in a flood, or if it’s exposed to water that
soaks the carpet, you can avoid needless repair costs by
turning off the vehicle immediately and disconnecting
the battery cables. Don’t let anyone start the vehicle
under any circumstances. See your dealer for service.

-- or if water enters

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.

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CAUTION:

For up to 10 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 wires wrapped with yellow tape
or yellow connectors. They are probably part of
the air bag systems. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is qualified to do so.

The air bag systems do not need regular maintenance.

Safety Belt Pretensioners

Your vehicle has safety belt pretensioners. You’ll find
them on the buckle end of the safety belts for the driver
and right front passenger. They help the safety belts reduce
a person’s forward movement in a moderate to severe
crash in which the front of the vehicle hits something.

Pretensioners work only once. If they activate in a crash,
you’ll need to get new ones, and probably other new
parts for your safety belt system. See “Replacing
Restraint System Parts After a Crash” in the Index.

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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.

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.

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.

-shoulder

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

Third Row Outside Seats

If you are sitting in a third row seat and the belt stops
before it reaches the buckle, tilt the latch plate and
keep pulling until you can buckle it.

Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.

When the shoulder belt is pulled out all the way, it
will lock. If it does, let it 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.

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

The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or a crash,
or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor.

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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

Your vehicle may have rear shoulder belt comfort
guides. This feature will provide added safety belt
comfort for children who have outgrown child restraints
and for small adults. When installed on a shoulder belt,
the comfort guide pulls the belt away from the neck
and head.

If your vehicle has bucket seats in the second row, there
is one guide for each outside passenger position. If your
vehicle has a bench seat in the second row, there is one
guide for the left
your vehicle has third
each outside passenger position. 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:

-hand outside passenger position. If

-row seats, there is one guide for

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1. Remove the guide from its storage clip on the side of
the seatback.

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

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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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. Slide the guide onto the storage clip.

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Center Passenger Position
(Bench Seat)

Lap Belt

If your vehicle has a third row rear bench seat, someone
can sit in the center position.

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When you sit in the center position of the bench seat,
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.

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,

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Center Passenger Position
(Bucket Seat)

Lap Belt

If your vehicle has bucket seats, someone can sit in the
center position bucket seat.

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When you sit in the center position bucket seat, you
have a lap safety belt which has a retractor.

1. Pick up the latch plate and, in a single motion, pull
the belt across you. Don’t let it get twisted.

2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. If
the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, let it go
back all the way and start again. Pull up on the latch
plate to make sure it is secure.

3. Feed the lap belt into the retractor to tighten it.

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4. Position and release it the same way as the lap part
of a lap

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.

-shoulder belt.

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The center position bucket seat is a CENTER OR LEFT
type seat. Because it is the only bucket seat with a lap
belt, and has a buckle on only one side, there are certain
places a CENTER OR LEFT type bucket seat should,
and should not, be used. See “Seats” in the Index. If the
CENTER OR LEFT bucket seat is used on the left side
of the vehicle, the person sitting there should use the
lap

-shoulder belt. See “Rear Seat Outside Passenger

Positions” in the Index.

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Children

Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! That includes
infants and all children smaller than adult size. 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.

Smaller Children and Babies

CAUTION:

Children who are up against, or very close to, any
air bag when it inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. This is true even though your vehicle
has Next Generation frontal air bags. Air bags
plus lap
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.

-shoulder belts offer the best protection

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CAUTION:

Smaller children and babies should always be
restrained in a child or infant restraint. The
instructions for the restraint will say whether it is
the right type and size for your child. A very
young child’s hip bones are so small that a
regular belt might not stay low on the hips, as it
should. Instead, the belt will likely be over the
child’s abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply
force right on the child’s abdomen, which could
cause serious or fatal injuries. So, be sure that
any child small enough for one is always properly
restrained in a child or infant restraint.

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

-facing restraint settles into the restraint, so the crash

forces can be distributed across the strongest part of the
infant’s body, the back and shoulders. A baby should be
secured in an appropriate infant restraint. This is so
important that many hospitals today won’t release a
newborn infant to its parents unless there is an infant
restraint available for the baby’s first trip in a
motor vehicle.

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CAUTION:

Never hold a baby in your arms while riding in a
vehicle. A baby doesn’t weigh much
crash. During a crash a baby will become so
heavy you can’t hold it. For example, in a crash

CAUTION: (Continued)

-- until a

CAUTION: (Continued)

at only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12-lb. (5.5 kg) baby
will suddenly become a 240
your arms. The baby would be almost impossible
to hold.

Secure the baby in an infant restraint.

-lb. (110 kg) force on

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Built-in Child Restraint (Option)

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If your vehicle has this option in a bucket seat, each
bucket seat that has the built
only one location in your vehicle. T o find out where a
bucket seat that has a built-in child restraint must be
located in your vehicle, see “Removable Rear Bucket
Seats” in the Index. If your vehicle has this option in a
60/40 bench seat, you may have one or two built
child restraints. This bench seat will only fit in the
second row of your vehicle. In both types of seats, the
built

-in child restraint works the same way.

-in child restraint fits in

-in

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This child restraint system conforms to all applicable
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Each child restraint is designed for use only by children
who weigh between 22 and 40 pounds (10 and 18 kg)
and whose height is between 33.5 and 40 inches
(850 and 1 016 mm) and who are capable of sitting
upright alone.

The child should also be at least one year old. It is
important to use a rear
child is about a year old. A rear
the infant’s head, neck and body the support they would
need in a crash. See “Child Restraints” later in this
section for more information.

-facing infant restraint until the

-facing restraint gives

Q: What if the top of my child’s shoulders is above

the shoulder belt slots for the five
restraint harness system?

-point child

A: A child whose shoulders are above the shoulder

belt slots for the five
system shouldn’t use this child restraint. Instead,
the child should sit on the vehicle’s regular seat
cushion and use the vehicle’s adult safety belts.

-point child restraint harness

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CAUTION:

BEFORE YOU USE THIS CHILD RESTRAINT ,
BE SURE THE TOP OF THE CHILD’S
SHOULDERS IS BELOW THE SLOTS THA T
THE HARNESS GOES THROUGH. A CHILD
WHOSE SHOULDERS ARE ABOVE THOSE
SLOTS COULD BE INJURED DURING A
SUDDEN STOP OR CRASH. IF THE TOP OF
THE CHILD’S SHOULDERS IS ABOVE THE
SLOTS, DON’T USE THIS CHILD
RESTRAINT WHILE THE VEHICLE IS
IN MOTION.

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Securing a Child in the Built-In
Child Restraint

1. Raise the head restraint until the lower edge of the
head restraint is even with the top of the seatback.

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2. Rotate the head restraint rearward until it touches the
top of the seatback. Make sure there is no gap
between the lower edge of the head restraint and the
top of the seatback.

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3. Lower the child restraint cushion. You’ll be using the child restraint’s harness (A) to
secure your child. Don’t use the vehicle’s
safety belts.

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CAUTION:

Using the vehicle’s regular safety belts on a child
seated on the child restraint cushion can cause
serious injury to the child in a sudden stop or
crash. If a child is the proper size for the built
child restraint, secure the child using the child
restraint’s harness. But children who are too
large for the built
the vehicle’s regular seat and use the vehicle’s
adult safety belts.

WARNING! FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE
MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS ON THE
USE OF THIS CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM
CAN RESULT IN YOUR CHILD STRIKING THE
VEHICLE’S INTERIOR DURING A SUDDEN
STOP OR CRASH. SNUGLY ADJUST THE
BELTS PROVIDED WITH THIS CHILD
RESTRAINT AROUND YOUR CHILD.

-in child restraint should sit on

-in

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4. Before placing the child in the child restraint, add
slack to the shoulder harness. Pull the black shoulder
harness release strap firmly. At the same time pull
both shoulder harness straps through the slots in the
seatback as shown.

5. Place the child on the child restraint cushion.

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6. Select only one side of the harness. Place the harness
over the child’s shoulder.

7. Push the latch plate (B) into the buckle until it clicks.
Be sure the buckle is free of any foreign objects that

may prevent you from securing the latch plates. If
you can’t secure a latch plate, see your dealer for
service before using the child restraint.

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8. Place the other side of the harness over the
child’s shoulder.

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

10. Pull up on both latch plates to make sure they
are secure.

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11. Now fasten the left and right halves of the shoulder
harness clip together . The purpose of this clip is to
help keep the harness positioned on the
child’s shoulders.

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CAUTION:

An unfastened shoulder harness clip won’t help
keep the harness in place on the child’s shoulders.
If the harness isn’t on the child’s shoulders, it
won’t be able to restrain the child’s upper body
in a sudden stop or crash. The child could be
seriously injured. Make sure the harness clip is
properly fastened.

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12. Pull the shoulder harness adjustment strap (C)
firmly until the harness is snugly adjusted around
the child. You should not be able to put more than
two fingers between the harness and the child’s
chest. Make sure the harness and buckle strap are
not twisted.

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13. Adjust the position of the harness on the child’s
shoulder by moving the clip up or down along the
harness. On each side of the harness, the shoulder
part should be centered on the child’s shoulder. The
harness should be away from the child’s face and
neck, but not falling from the child’s shoulders.

If you expect that the child will sleep while riding,
you can recline the seatback. See “Seats” in
the Index.

Removing the Child from the Built-In
Child Restraint

1. Unfasten the shoulder harness clip.

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2. Unlatch the harness by pushing the button on
the buckle.

3. Move one side of the harness off the child’s shoulder.

4. Move the other side of the harness off the
child’s shoulder.

5. Remove the child from the child restraint cushion.

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Storing the Built-In Child Restraint

Always properly store the built-in child restraint before
using the vehicle’s lap

1. Move both latch plates and both sides of the shoulder
harness clip to the bottom of the harness straps.

-shoulder belt.

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2. Fold the child restraint cushion and leg rest up into
the seatback.

3. Press the child restraint cushion firmly into
the seatback.

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4. Then press the leg rest firmly into the seatback, and
secure it by pressing the upper corners against the
fastener strips on the seatback.

5. Rotate the head restraint forward and push it all the
way down.

Just like the other restraint systems in your vehicle, your
built

-in child restraint needs to be periodically checked

and may need to have parts replaced after a crash. See
“Checking Your Restraint Systems” and “Replacing Seat
and Restraint System Parts After a Crash” in the Index.

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Child Restraints

Every time infants and young children ride in
vehicles, they should have protection provided by
appropriate restraints.

Q: What are the different types of add-on

child restraints?

A: Add-on child restraints are available in four basic

types. When selecting a child restraint, take into
consideration not only the child’s weight and size,
but also whether or not the restraint will be
compatible with the motor vehicle in which it will
be used.

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

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A rear-facing infant restraint (B) positions an infant
to face the rear of the vehicle. Rear
restraints are designed for infants of up to about
20 lbs. (9 kg) and about one year of age. This type
of restraint faces the rear so that the infant’s head,
neck and body can have the support they need in a
frontal crash. Some infant seats come in two
parts

-- the base stays secured in the vehicle and

the seat part is removable.

-facing infant

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A forward-facing child restraint (C-E) positions a
child upright to face forward in the vehicle. These
forward
protect children who are from 20 to 40 lbs.
(9 to 18 kg) and about 26 to 40 inches
(66 to 102 cm) in height, or up to around four years
of age. One type, a convertible restraint, is
designed to be used either as a rear
seat or a forward

-facing restraints are designed to help

-facing infant

-facing child seat.

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A booster seat (F, G) is designed for children who
are about 40 to 60 lbs., or even up to 80 lbs.
(18 to 27 kg, or even up to 36 kg), and about four
to eight years of age. A booster seat is designed to
improve the fit of the vehicle’s safety belt system.
Booster seats with shields use lap
however, booster seats without shields use
lap

-shoulder belts. Booster seats can also help a

child to see out the window.

-only belts;

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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.
The instructions that come with the infant or child
restraint will show you how to do that. Both the owner’s
manual and the child restraint instructions are important,
so if either one of these is not available, obtain a
replacement copy from the manufacturer.

Where to Put the Restraint

Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. We at
General Motors therefore recommend that you put your
child restraint in a rear seat. Never put a rear
child restraint in the front passenger seat. Here’s why:

-facing

CAUTION:

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front
passenger’s air bag inflates, even though your
vehicle has Next Generation frontal air bags. This
is because the back of the rear
restraint would be very close to the inflating air
bag. Always secure a rear
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

-- even when no child is in it.

-facing child

-facing child restraint

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Top Strap

Canadian law requires that forward-facing child
restraints have a top strap, and that the strap
be anchored.

If your child restraint has a top strap, it should be
anchored. A child restraint with a top strap should only be
used in the second row. Anchor brackets for the second
row outside positions are located just above the place
where the third row lap

-shoulder belts meet the floor.

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There’s a vinyl sleeve there; to get to the bracket, push this
vinyl sleeve aside slightly. You may need to remove the
staple in the sleeve to do this. Anchor the top strap to the
bracket. If you need to have an anchor bracket installed for
the center bucket seat in the second row, or for the
right

-hand side of a 60/40 bench seat, you can ask your

dealer to put it in for you. This work will be done for you
free of charge. If you want to install an anchor bracket
yourself, your dealer can tell you how to do it.

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

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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.

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Third Row Outside Seats

If you are using a child restraint in a third row
outside seat position, tilt the latch plate to adjust the
belt if needed.

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

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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.

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

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5. T o 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
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.

-facing child

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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 the Center
Seat Position (Third Row Bench Seat)

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.

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

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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
Seat Position (Bucket Seat)

You’ll be using the lap 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. Pull the lap belt all the way out without stopping.

3. While holding it out, run the belt through or around
the child 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, feed it back into the retractor
while you push down on the child restraint. If you’re
using a forward
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.

-facing child restraint, you may find

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Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position

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

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

rear

CAUTION:

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the front passenger’s
air bag inflates, even though your vehicle has
Next Generation frontal air bags. This is because
the back of the rear
be very close to the inflating air bag. If your
vehicle is a passenger van, always secure a
rear

-facing child restraint in a rear seat.

If your vehicle is a cargo van, do not use a
rear

-facing child restraint in this vehicle. If a

forward
child, always move the passenger seat as far back
as it will go.

-facing child restraint is suitable for your

-facing child restraint would

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

You’ll be using the lap
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 front passenger air bag,

2. Put the restraint on the seat.

3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder

-facing child restraint in the right front seat.

-shoulder belt. See the earlier part

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

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.

-facing child restraint. (See

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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.

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

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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.

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.

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Larger Children

Children who have outgrown child restraints 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

Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear seat. But they need to use the
safety belts properly.

D

Children who aren’t buckled up can be thrown out in
a crash.

D

Children who aren’t buckled up can strike other
people who are.

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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.

1-86

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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. If your vehicle has a

-in child restraint, also periodically make sure the

built
harness straps, latch plates, buckle, clip, child head
restraint and anchorages are working properly. Look for
any other loose or damaged safety belt and built
restraint system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt or built-in child restraint system from
doing its job, have it repaired.

-in child

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.

If your vehicle has the built
frayed harness straps can rip apart under impact forces
just like torn or frayed safety belts can. They may not
protect a child in a crash. If a harness strap is torn or
frayed, get a new harness 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.)

-in child restraint, torn or

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Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash

If you’ve had a crash, do you need new safety belts or

-in child restraint parts?

built
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.

But if the safety belts or built-in child restraint harness
straps were stretched, as they would be if worn during a
more severe crash, then you need new safety belts or
harness straps.

If the frontal air bags inflate, you’ll also need to replace
the driver’s and right front passenger’s safety belt
buckle assembly. Be sure to do so. Then the new buckle
assembly will be there to help protect you in a collision.

If safety belts or built
are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision damage also
may mean you will need to have safety belt, built-in
child restraint or seat parts repaired or replaced. New
parts and repairs may be necessary even if the safety belt
or built

-in child restraint 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.

-in child restraint harness straps

1-89

✍

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NOTES

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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

-2 Keys

2

-4 Door Locks

-7 Remote Lock Control (Option)

2
2

-13 Multifunction Alarm Locks and

Lighting Choices

2-23 Sliding Door
2

-25 Power Sliding Door (Option)

-31 Liftgate

2
2

-32 Theft

-33 Content Theft-Deterrent (Option)

2
2

-35 PASS-Key

2

-37 New Vehicle “Break-In”

-38 Ignition Positions

2
2

-40 Starting Your Engine

-41 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)

2
2

-43 Automatic Transaxle Operation

-47 Parking Brake

2
2

-48 Shifting Into PARK (P)

2-

R

III

2

-50 Shifting Out of PARK (P)

2

-51 Parking Over Things That Burn

-52 Engine Exhaust

2
2

-52 Running Your Engine While You’re Parked

-53 Windows

2
2

-55 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever

2

-61 Exterior Lamps

-63 Interior Lamps

2
2

-67 Mirrors

-68 Storage Compartments

2
2

-80 Sun Visors

2

-80 OnStar System

-81 Accessory Inflator System (Option)

2
2

-83 Accessory Power Outlets

-84 The Instrument Panel -- Your

2

Information System

2-88 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2

-101 Driver Information Center (DIC) (Option)

R

(Option)

2-1

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

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2-2

The master key can be
used for the ignition as
well as all door locks, the
liftgate lock and the
storage compartments.

If you need a new key, contact your Oldsmobile dealer,
who can obtain the correct key code. In an emergency,
call Oldsmobile Roadside Assistance at
1

-800-442-OLDS (6537). (In Canada, call

1

-800-268-6800.)

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NOTICE:

Your vehicle has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft. But you can have a lot of
trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lock
your key inside. You may even have to damage
your vehicle to get in. So be sure you have an
extra key.

2-3

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Door Locks

CAUTION:

Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers -- especially children -- can easily

open the doors and fall out. When a door is
locked, the inside handle won’t open it.

Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow down or stop your vehicle.

This may not be so obvious: You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash if the doors aren’t locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you will be far
better off whenever you drive your vehicle.

There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use your key or the remote lock

control transmitter (if your vehicle has this option).
T o unlock either front door from the outside with the

key, insert the key and turn it toward the front of
the vehicle.

You can lock either front door from the outside with
your key by inserting and turning it toward the rear of
the vehicle.

T o lock either front door from the inside, push the
locking lever forward.

T o unlock either front door from the inside, pull back on
the locking lever.

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