belt CHEVROLET IMPALA 2007 9.G Workshop Manual

Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the front
or sides of the vehicle that could keep the
airbags from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your
vehicle’s frame, bumper system, height,
front end or side sheet metal, they may keep
the airbag system from working properly.
Also, the airbag system may not work properly
if you relocate any of the airbag sensors.
If you have any questions about this,
you should contact Customer Assistance
before you modify your vehicle. The phone
numbers and addresses for Customer
Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in this manual.
SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure
on page 426.
Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get
my vehicle modied. How can I nd out
whether this will affect my airbag system?
A:Changing or moving any parts of the
front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing
and diagnostic module, steering wheel,
instrument panel, ceiling headliner, ceiling
and pillar garnish trim, roof-mounted airbag
modules, or airbag wiring can affect the
operation of the airbag system. If you
have questions, call Customer Assistance.
The phone numbers and addresses for
Customer Assistance are in Step Two of
the Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this
manual. SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure
on page 426.
83

Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder
light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates,
retractors and anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety
belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have
it repaired. SeeCare of Safety Belts on page 390
for more information.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in
a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.Also look for any opened or broken airbag covers,
and have them repaired or replaced. The airbag
system does not need regular maintenance.
Notice:If you damage the covering for
the driver’s or the right front passenger’s
airbag, or the side impact airbag covering
(if equipped) on the ceiling near the side
windows, the airbag may not work properly.
You may have to replace the airbag module
in the steering wheel, both the airbag module
and the instrument panel for the right front
passenger’s airbag, or side impact airbag
module and ceiling covering for roof-mounted
side impact airbags (if equipped.) Do not
open or break the airbag coverings.
84

Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
{CAUTION:
A crash can damage the restraint systems
in your vehicle. A damaged restraint
system may not properly protect the
person using it, resulting in serious injury
or even death in a crash. To help make
sure your restraint systems are working
properly after a crash, have them inspected
and any necessary replacements made
as soon as possible.
If you have had a crash, do you need new belts
or LATCH system parts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be
necessary. But if the belts were stretched, as they
would be if worn during a more severe crash,
then you need new parts.
If the LATCH system was being used during a
more severe crash, you may need new LATCH
system parts.If belts are cut or damaged, replace them.
Collision damage also may mean you will need to
have LATCH system, safety belt or seat parts
repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs may
be necessary even if the belt or LATCH system
was not being used at the time of the collision.
If an airbag inates, you will need to replace airbag
system parts. See the part on the airbag system
earlier in this section.
If any airbag inates, you will also need to
replace the driver and front passenger’s safety
belt assembly. Be sure to do so. Then the
new assembly will be there to help protect you
in a collision.
After a crash you may need to replace the driver
and front passenger’s safety belt assemblies,
even if the frontal airbags have not deployed.
The driver and front passenger’s safety belt
assemblies contain the safety belt pretensioners.
Have your safety belt pretensioners checked if
your vehicle has been in a collision, or if your
airbag readiness light stays on after you start
your vehicle or while you are driving. SeeAirbag
Readiness Light on page 178.
85

Doors and Locks
Door Locks
{CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers, especially children, can
easily open the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a door is
locked, the handle will not open it.
You increase the chance of being
thrown out of the vehicle in a crash if
the doors are not locked. So, wear
safety belts properly and lock the
doors whenever you drive.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out.
A child can be overcome by extreme
heat and can suffer permanent injuries
or even death from heat stroke.
Always lock your vehicle whenever
you leave it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down
or stop your vehicle. Locking your
doors can help prevent this from
happening.
98

Storage Areas
Glove Box
To open the glove box, lift up on the lever.
Cupholder(s)
Your vehicle may have cupholders built into the
front center console, front portion of the front
center seat and rear armrest. To access the front
cupholders, on the ve-passenger model, pull
out the divider in front of the front center console
to separate the opening into two cupholders. To
access the front cupholders, on the six-passenger
model, fold the front portion of the front center seat
forward.
Sunglasses Storage Compartment
Your vehicle may have a sunglass storage
compartment located above the rearview mirror.
To open, push on cover.
Do not operate the vehicle with the sunglasses
storage compartment cover open, it could obstruct
your view.
Center Console Storage Area
Your vehicle may have a front center console
storage area. To open the front center console
storage area, pull up on the latch located in
the front of the console lid. Inside is a removable
tray and an accessory power outlet.
Rear Storage Area
If your vehicle has the split folding rear seat, there
will be two storage areas underneath. To access
these storage areas, pull the tab(s) located by the
seatbelt buckle on the passenger side and the
center of the rear seat on the driver side. SeeSplit
Folding Rear Seat on page 15for more
information.
Rear Seat Armrest
Your vehicle may have a rear seat armrest.
To access, pull the tab on the armrest forward.
144

Instrument Panel Overview........................ 150
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 152
Other Warning Devices............................. 152
Horn.......................................................... 152
Tilt Wheel.................................................. 153
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 153
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 154
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 155
Flash-to-Pass............................................ 155
Windshield Wipers..................................... 155
Windshield Washer.................................... 156
Cruise Control........................................... 157
Exterior Lamps.......................................... 160
Delayed Headlamps.................................. 162
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)/
Automatic Headlamp System.................. 162
Fog Lamps................................................ 163
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 163
Courtesy Lamps........................................ 163
Dome Lamp.............................................. 164
Entry Lighting............................................ 164
Delayed Entry Lighting.............................. 164
Delayed Exit Lighting................................. 165
Parade Dimming........................................ 165
Reading Lamps......................................... 165Electric Power Management...................... 165
Battery Run-Down Protection..................... 166
Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 167
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter................ 168
Climate Controls......................................... 168
Climate Control System............................. 168
Outlet Adjustment...................................... 172
Passenger Compartment Air Filter............. 173
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators..... 174
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 175
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 176
Tachometer............................................... 176
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 177
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light....... 177
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 178
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 179
Charging System Light.............................. 181
Brake System Warning Light..................... 181
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...... 182
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light........................................ 183
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light........................................ 183
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage............ 184
Section 3 Instrument Panel
147

Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime
will be provided for several seconds to remind
people to buckle their safety belts. The driver safety
belt light will also be provided and stay on for
several seconds, then it will ash for several more.
You should buckle your seat belt.
This chime and light will
be repeated if the driver
remains unbuckled
and the vehicle
is in motion.
If the driver’s belt is buckled, neither the chime nor
the light will be provided.
Passenger Safety Belt
Reminder Light
Several seconds after the key is turned to RUN or
START, a chime will sound for several seconds to
remind the front passenger to buckle their safety
belt. This would only occur if the passenger airbag
is enabled. SeePassenger Sensing System on
page 77for more information. The passenger
safety belt light will also come on and stay on for
several seconds, then it will ash for several more.
This chime and light will
be repeated if the
passenger remains
unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion.
If the passenger’s safety belt is buckled, neither
the chime nor the light will come on.
177

Charging System Light
The charging system
light will come on briey
when you turn on
the ignition, but the
engine is not running,
as a check to show you
it is working.
It should go out once the engine is running.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving,
you may have a problem with the charging system.
It could indicate that you have problems with a
generator drive belt, or another electrical problem.
Have it checked right away. Driving while this
light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such
as the radio and air conditioner.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop you. For good braking,
though, you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
This light should come on briey when you turn
the ignition key to RUN. If it does not come
on then, have it xed so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
United StatesCanada
181

Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle
Defensive Driving
The best advice anyone can give about driving is:
Drive defensively.
Please start with a very important safety device in
your vehicle: Buckle up. SeeSafety Belts: They
Are for Everyone on page 18.
{CAUTION:
Defensive driving really means “Be ready
for anything.” On city streets, rural roads,
or expressways, it means “Always expect
the unexpected.” Assume that pedestrians
or other drivers are going to be careless
and make mistakes. Anticipate what they
might do and be ready. Rear-end collisions
are about the most preventable of
accidents. Yet they are common. Allow
enough following distance. Defensive
driving requires that a driver concentrate
on the driving task. Anything that distracts
from the driving task makes proper
defensive driving more difficult and can
even cause a collision, with resulting
injury. Ask a passenger to help do these
things, or pull off the road in a safe place to
do them. These simple defensive driving
techniques could save your life.
248

Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more
effective than braking. For example, you come
over a hill and nd a truck stopped in your lane,
or a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or
a child darts out from between parked cars and
stops right in front of you. You can avoid
these problems by braking — if you can stop in
time. But sometimes you cannot; there is not room.
That is the time for evasive action — steering
around the problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies
like these. First apply the brakes — but, unless
you have anti-lock brakes, not enough to lock the
wheels. SeeBraking on page 252. It is better
to remove as much speed as you can from
a possible collision. Then steer around the
problem, to the left or right depending on the
space available.An emergency like this requires close attention
and a quick decision. If you are holding the
steering wheel at the recommended 9 and
3 o’clock positions, you can turn it a full
180 degrees very quickly without removing either
hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly,
and just as quickly straighten the wheel once you
have avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are
always possible is a good reason to practice
defensive driving at all times and wear safety
belts properly.
259