wheel CHEVROLET AVEO 2008 1.G Owners Manual

After more than 40 years of safety belts in vehicles,
the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up
does matter... a lot!
Why Safety Belts Work
When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as it goes.
Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it is just a seat
on wheels.Put someone on it.
1-15

Airbag System
Your vehicle has the following airbags:
•A frontal airbag for the driver.
•A frontal airbag for the right front passenger.
Your vehicle may have the following airbags:
•A seat-mounted side impact airbag for the driver.
•A seat-mounted side impact airbag for the right
front passenger.
All of the airbags in your vehicle will have the word
AIRBAG embossed in the trim or on an attached label
near the deployment opening.
For frontal airbags, the word AIRBAG will appear on
the middle part of the steering wheel for the driver and
on the instrument panel for the right front passenger.
With seat-mounted side impact airbags, the word
AIRBAG will appear on the side of the seatback
closest to the door.Airbags are designed to supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Even though today’s airbags
are also designed to help reduce the risk of injury
from the force of an inflating bag, all airbags must
inflate very quickly to do their job.
Here are the most important things to know about the
airbag system:{CAUTION:
You can be severely injured or killed in a crash
if you are not wearing your safety belt — even
if you have airbags. Wearing your safety belt
during a crash helps reduce your chance of
hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected
from it. Airbags are “supplemental restraints”
to the safety belts. All airbags are designed to
work with safety belts, but do not replace them.
1-56

Where Are the Airbags?
The driver’s frontal airbag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.The right front passenger’s frontal airbag is in the
instrument panel on the passenger’s side.
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If your vehicle has seat-mounted side impact airbags
for the driver and right front passenger, they are in
the side of the seatbacks closest to the door.
{CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and an
airbag, the airbag might not inate properly
or it might force the object into that person
causing severe injury or even death. The path
of an inating airbag must be kept clear.
Do not put anything between an occupant and
an airbag, and do not attach or put anything
on the steering wheel hub or on or near any
other airbag covering.
Do not use seat accessories that block the
ination path of a seat-mounted side impact
airbag.
Driver Side shown, Passenger Side similar
1-60

What Makes an Airbag Inate?
In a deployment event, the sensing system sends
an electrical signal triggering a release of gas from
the inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the airbag
causing the bag to break out of the cover and deploy.
The inflator, the airbag, and related hardware are
all part of the airbag module.
Frontal airbag modules are located inside the
steering wheel and instrument panel. For vehicles
with seat-mounted side impact airbags, there are
airbag modules in the side of the front seatbacks
closest to the door.
How Does an Airbag 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.
Airbags supplement the protection provided by safety
belts. Frontal airbags distribute the force of the
impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body,
stopping the occupant more gradually. Seat-mounted
side impact airbags distribute the force of the impact
more evenly over the occupant’s upper body.
But airbags would not help in many types of collisions,
primarily because the occupant’s motion is not
toward those airbags. SeeWhen Should an Airbag
Inflate? on page 1-61for more information.
Airbags should never be regarded as anything more
than a supplement to safety belts.
1-63

Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to or change
about 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. Changing or moving any parts
of the front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing
and diagnostic module, steering wheel, instrument
panel, front sensors, or airbag wiring can affect
the operation of the airbag system.
In addition, your vehicle has a passenger sensing
system for the right front passenger’s position,
which includes sensors that are part of the
passenger’s seat. The passenger sensing system
may not operate properly if the original seat
trim is replaced with non-GM covers, upholstery
or trim, or with GM covers, upholstery or trim
designed for a different vehicle. Any object, such
as an aftermarket seat heater or a comfort
enhancing pad or device, installed under or on
top of the seat fabric, could also interfere with
the operation of the passenger sensing system.This could either prevent proper deployment of
the passenger airbag(s) or prevent the passenger
sensing system from properly turning off the
passenger airbag(s). SeePassenger Sensing
System on page 1-65.
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 7-2.
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: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. See
Customer Satisfaction Procedure on page 7-2.
In addition, your dealer/retailer and the service manual
have information about the location of the airbag
sensors, sensing and diagnostic module and airbag
wiring.
1-71

Ignition Positions
The ignition switch can be
turned to four different
positions with the key.
{CAUTION:
On manual transmission vehicles, turning the
key to LOCK/OFF will lock the steering column
and result in a loss of ability to steer the vehicle.
This could cause a collision. If you need to turn
the engine off while the vehicle is moving, turn
the key only to ACC/ACCESSORY. Do not push
the key in while the vehicle is moving.Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break the
key. Use the correct key and turn the key only with
your hand. Make sure the key is in all the way. If
none of this works, then your vehicle needs service.
LOCK/OFF:This position locks the steering wheel,
ignition, shift lever and transmission. This is the
only position in which you can insert or remove the
key. If the steering wheel is locked, move it form right
to left and turn the key to ACC/ACCESSORY.
ACC/ACCESSORY:This position operates some of the
electrical accessories, such as the radio, but not the
climate control system.
ON/RUN:This is the position the switch returns after
you start the engine and release the key. The switch
stays in ON/RUN when the engine is running. But even
when the engine is not running, you can use ON/RUN
to operate the electrical accessories, and to display
some instrument panel warning lights.
START:This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The switch returns to
ON/RUN for normal driving. Do not turn the key to
START if the engine is running.
Even if the engine is not running, ACC/ACCESSORY
and ON/RUN allow you to operate electrical accessories,
such as the radio.
2-18

How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in?
The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact your
dealer/retailer in the area where you will be parking your
vehicle. The dealer/retailer can give you the best advice
for that particular area.
Automatic Transmission Operation
If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, the shift
lever is located on the console between the seats.
Movement between certain positions requires pushing
the release button on the front of the shifter.PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always
set your parking brake and move the shift
lever to PARK (P). SeeShifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission) on page 2-27.
Ensure that the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You have to apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the key is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out
of PARK (P) while holding the brake pedal down,
seeShifting Out of PARK (P) on page 2-28.
2-21

REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
When shifting from NEUTRAL (N) to REVERSE (R), you
need to apply the regular brake and push the release
button on the front of the shifter and then forward.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission,
seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow on page 4-17.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart while you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not running
at high speed when shifting your vehicle.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D4):This position is for
normal driving.
When operating your vehicle in severe cold conditions,
the transmission may be prevented from shifting into
D4 gear until the transmission fluid has warmed up to
it’s operational temperature.
2-22

Outside Power Mirror
For sedan models,
the control for the power
mirrors is located on
the instrument panel, left
of the steering wheel.
To adjust the mirrors, do the following:
1. Select the mirror you want to adjust by moving the
selector switch to L for the driver’s side mirror or
R for the passenger’s side mirror.
2. To adjust the mirror, press the corresponding edges
located on the four-way control pad to move the
mirror in the direction that you want it to go - up,
down, left or right. The ignition must be turned to
ON/RUN to adjust the mirrors.For hatchback models, the
control for the power mirror
is located on the driver’s
door panel, above the
power window buttons.
1. Select the mirror you want to adjust by pressing the
left side of the selector switch for the driver’s side
mirror or the right side for the passenger’s side
mirror.
2. To adjust each mirror, press the corresponding
edges located on the four-way control pad to
move the mirror in the direction that you want it to
go. The ignition must be turned to ON/RUN to
adjust the mirrors.
The outside rearview mirrors can be folded flat against
the side of the vehicle by pushing them toward the
vehicle’s doors.
2-33