steering wheel CHEVROLET CAMARO 1994 4.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine air bag, or, worse, it could cause inju-
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BAG
1
kir Bag Readiness Light
’here is an air bag readiness light on the
xtrument panel, which shows
“AIR
LAG” on it. The system checks for
lectrical malfunctions, and the light tells
ou if there is a problem.
‘ou will see this light flash for a few
econds when you turn your ignition
to
Run” or “Start.” Then the light should g(
ut, which means the system is ready.
:emember, if the air bag readiness light
oesn’t come on when you start your
ehicle, or stays on, or comes on when
ou are driving, your air bag system may
ot work properly. Have your vehicle
zrviced right away.
How the Air Bag System Works
Where is the air
bag?
The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.
27 ...

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Seats and Restraint Systems
The right-front passenger’s air bag is
located in the instrument panel on the
passenger’s side.
1.. /. ’* .
., ..
When is an air bag expected to inflate?
The air bag is designed to inflate in
moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal
crashes. The air bag will only inflate if the
velocity of the impact is above the
designed threshold level. When impacting
straight into a wall that does not move or
deform, the threshold level for most
GM
vehicles is between 9 and 15 mph (14 and
23 km/h). However, this velocity
threshold depends on the vehicle design
and may be several miles-per-hour faster
or slower. In addition, this threshold
velocity will be considerably higher if the
vehicle strikes an object such as a parked
car which will move and deform
on
impact. The air bag is also not designed to
inflate in rollovers, side. impacts, or rear
impacts where the inflation would provide
no occupant protection benefit.
It is possible that in a crash, only one of
the two air bags in your Camaro will
deploy. This is rare, but can happen in a
crash just severe enough to make an air
bag inflate. In
any particular crash, the determination
of whether the
air bag should have
inflated cannot be based solely on the
level of damage on the vehicle@).
Inflation is determined by the angle of the
impact and the vehicle’s deceleration, of
which vehicle damage is only one
indication. Repair cost is not a good
indicator of whether an air bag should
have deployed.
What makes an air bag inflate?
In a frontal or near-frontal impact of
sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is suddenly
stopping as a result of a crash. The
sensing sytem triggers a chemical reaction
of the sodium azide sealed in the inflator,
The reaction produces nitrogen gas,
which inflates a cloth bag. The inflator,
cloth bag, and related hardware ‘are
all
part of the air bag inflator modules
packed inside the steering wheel and in
the instrument panel in front of the
passenger.
... 28

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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. 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 air bags
would not provide protection in many
types
of collisions, including rollovers
and rear and side impacts, primarily
because an occupant’s motion is not
toward the air bag. Air bags should never
be regarded as anything more than a
supplement to safety belt protection in
moderate to severe frontal and
near-frontal collisions.
What will you see after an air bag
inflation?
After the air bag has inflated, it will then
quickly deflate. This occurs
so quickly
that some people may
not even realize
that the air bag inflated. Some
components of the air bag module
in the
steering wheel hub for the driver’s air bag
or the instrument panel for the
passenger’s bag may be hot for a short
time, but the portion of the bag that comes
into contact .with you will not be hot to
the touch. There will be small amounts of
smoke coming from vents in the deflated
air bags. The air bag will
rn impede the
driver’s vision or ability to steer the
vehicle, nor will
it hinder the occupants
from exiting the vehicle.
In many crashes severe enough to inflate
an air bag, windshields are broken by
vehicle deformation. Additional
windshield breakage may occur
in
vehicles with passenger air bags because
the windshield acts as a reaction surface
for the inflating air bag.
0 The air bags are designed to inflate only
once. After they inflate 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 has information about the
need to replace other pans.
Your vehicle is equipped with a
diagnostic module. which records
information about the air bag system if
the air bag deploys
in a crash. The
module records information about the
readiness of the system, which sensors
activated the deployment, and whether
thr
driver’s safety belt was in use.
Let only qualified technicians work on
your air bag system. Improper service car
mean that your air bag system won’t work
properly. See your dealer for service.
If you damage the cover for the driv-
er’s
or the right-front passenger’s air
bag, they may not work properly.
You may have
tu replace the air bag
on the steering wheel or both the air
bag and the instrument panel for the
passenger’s air bag.
Do not open or
break the air bag covers.
29 ...

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in
some cities. Although your Chevrolet has
a number of theft-deterrent features, we
know that nothing we put on it can make
it impossible to steal. However, there
are
ways you can help.
Key in the ignition: If you walk away
from your vehicle with the keys inside,
it’s an easy target for joy riders or
professional thieves
- so don’t do it.
When you park your Chevrolet and open
the driver’s door, you’ll hear a tone
reminding you to remove your key from
the ignition and take it with
you. Always
do this. Your steering wheel will be
locked, and
so will your ignition. If you
have an automatic transmission, taking
your key out also locks your transmission.
And remember
to lock the doors.
Parking at Night: Park in a lighted spot,
close all windows and lock your vehicle.
Remember
to keep your valuables out of
sight. Put them in a storage area, or take
them with you.
Parking Lots: If you park in a lot where
Someone will be watching your vehicle,
it’s best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your
ignition key? What if you have to leave
something valuable in your vehicle?
0 Put your valuables in a storage area,
like your glove box.
0 Lock the glove box.
0 Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
Then take the door key with you.
PASS-Key@ZZ
Your vehicle is equipped with the
PASS-Key@II (Personalized Automotive
Security System) theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key@II is a passive theft-deterrent
system. This means you don’t have
to do
anything different to arm or disarm the
system. It works when you insert
or
remove the key from the ignition.
PASS-Key@II uses a resistor pellet in
the ignition key that matches a decoder
in your vehicle.
53.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine New Vehicle
“Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your modern Chevrolet doesn’t need
an elaborate “break-in.” But it will
perform better
in the long run if you
follow these guidelines:
Keep your speed at
55 mph (88
km/h) or less for the first 500
miles (804 km).
Don’t drive at any one speed
-
fast or slow - for the first 500
miles (804 km). Don’t make
full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the
first
200 miles (322 km) or so.
During this time your new brake
linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard
stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this
“breaking-in” guideline every
time
you get new brake linings.
D
I Ignition Switch
Vith the ignition key in the ignition
witch,
you can turn the switch to five
lositions:
KC (A): Position in which you can
lperate your electrical power accessories.
’ress
in the ignition switch as you turn
?e top
of it toward you.
,OCK (B): The only position in which
ou can remove the key. This locks your
teering wheel, ignition and automatic
7ansmission.
f you have an automatic transmission, the
znition switch can’t be turned to
LOCK” unless the shift lever is
in the
“P” (Park) position.
Off (C): Unlocks the steering wheel,
ignition and automatic transmission, but
does not send electrical power to any
accessories.
Use this position if your
vehicle must be pushed or towed.
A
warning tone will sound if you open the
driver’s door when the ignition
is in “Off’
and the key is
in the ignition.
Run (D): Position to which the switch
returns after
you start your engine and
release the switch. The switch stays
in the
“Run” position when the engine is
running.
But even when the engine is not
running,
you can use “Run” to operate
your electrical power accessories and to
display some instrument panel warning
and indicator lights.
Start (E): Starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition
switch will return to “Run” for normal
driving.
Note that even if the engine is not
running, “ACC” and “Run’’ allow
you to
operate your electrical accessories, such
as the radio and ventilation fan.
55. .

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Features and Controls
The switch for the driver's window has an
Express
Down feature. Quickly press and
release the switch for the driver's window
and the window will lower completely.
You can also open the driver's window
any amount by pressing the switch again
while the window is in the Express Down
mode when
it has lowered to the position
you want.
Horn
To sound the horn, press either horn
symbol
on your steering wheel.
Tilt Wheel
1 tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust
he steering wheel before you drive.
u'ou can also raise it to the highest level to
:ive
your legs more room when you exit
tnd enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel
md
pull the lever. Move the steering
wheel to
a comfortable level, then release
he lever to lock the wheel
in place.
I .72

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ‘I i
If your vehicle is in cruise control when
the ASR system begins
to limit wheel
spin, the cruise control will automaticallq
disengage. When road conditions allow
you to safely use it again, you may
re-engage the cruise control. (See
“Cruise Control” in the Index.)
The “ASR” warning light will come on
when you tu-n the ASR system off. Whe~
the system is on, this light will come on
to let you know if there’s a problem with
your ASR system.
See “ASR System
Warning Light” in the Index.
When this warning light is on, the system
will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
drjving accordingly.
ASR
The ASR system automatically comes on
whenever you start your vehicle.
To limit wheel spin, especially in
slippery road conditions, you should
always leave the system on. But you can
turn the ASR system
off if you ever need
to. (You should turn the system
off if
your vehicle ever gets stuck in sand,
mud, ice or snow.
See “Rocking Your
Vehicle” in the Index.)
To turn the system
off, press the button on
the console near the cigarette lighter. The
“ASIC” warning light will come on and
stay on. -If the ASR system is limiting
wheel spin when you press the button, the
system won’t turn off right away. It will
wait until there’s no longer a current need
to limit wheel spin. You
can turn the system back on at any
time by pressing the button again. The
*‘ASR’ warning light should go
off.
[f your car is equipped with P245/50ZR16
tires, the ASR system will automatically
turn
off at speeds above 108 mph (173
km/h). (The “ASR” warning light will
not come on.) When vehicle speed drops
below
103 mph (165 km/h), the system
will automatically turn on again.
Braking in Emergencies
Use your anti-lock braking system when
you need to. With anti-lock, you can
steer and brake
a1 the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
129 ...

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your Driving and the Road
Steering
Power Steering
If you lase power steering assist because
the engine stops or the system
is not
functioning, you can steer but it will
take much more effort.
Steering Tips
Driving
on Curves
It’s important to take curves at a
reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents
mentioned
on the news happen on curves.
Here’s
why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of
us is subject to the same laws of physics
when driving
on curves. The traction of
the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path
when you
turn the front wheels. If there’s
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle
going in
the same direction. If you’ve
ever tried to steer a vehicle
on wet ice,
you’ll understand this.
The traction you can get in a carve
depends
on the condition of your tires and
the road surface, the angle at which the
curve is banked, and your speed. While
you’re in
a curve, speed is the one factor
you can control.
I
Suppose you’re steering through a sharp
curve, Then
you suddenly accelerate.
Both control systems
- steering and
acceleration
- have to do their work
where the tires meet the road. Unless you
have traction control and the system is
on, adding the sudden acceleration can
demand too much of those places. You
can lose control.
What should you do if this ever happens?
Ease
up on the accelerator pedal, steer the
vehicle the way you want
it to go, and
slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves
warn that
you should adjust your speed. Of course,
the posted speeds are based on good
weather and road conditions. Under less
favorable conditions you’ll want to
go
slower.
If
you need to reduce your speed as you
approach a curve, do it before
you enter
the curve, while your front wheels are
straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed
so you can
“drive” through the curve. Maintain a
reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are opt
of the curve,
and then accelerate gently into the
straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be
more effective than braking. For example,
you come over a hill and find
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 can’t; there isn’t
room. That’s the time for evasive action
- steering around the problem.
Your Chevrolet can perform very well in
emergencies like these. First apply your
brakes. It is better to remove as much
speed as you can from a possible
collision. Then steer around the problem,
. . ,130

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
Off-Road Recovery
You may find sometime that your right
wheels have dropped
off the edge of a
road onto the shoulder (A) while you’re
driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only slight11
below the pavement, recovery should be
fairly easy. Ease off the accelerator and
then, if there
is nothing in the way, steer
so that your vehicle straddles the edge of
the pavement. You can
turn the steering
wheel up to
1/4 turn (B) until the right
front tire contacts the pavement edge.
Then
turn your steering wheel to go
straight down the roadway.
Passing
The driver of a vehicle about to pass
another on a two-lane highway waits for
just the right moment, accelerates, moves
around the vehicle ahead, then goes back
into the right
lane again. A simple
maneuver?
Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle
on a two-lane highway is a potentially
dangerous move, since the passing
vehicle occupies the same lane as
oncoming traffic for several seconds. A
miscalculation, an error
in judgment, or a
brief surrender to frustration or anger can
suddenly put the passing driver face to
face with the worst of all traffic accidents
- the head-on collision.
So here are some tips for passing:
“Drive ahead.” Look down the road,
to the sides, and to crossroads for
situations that might affect your
passing patterns. If you have any
doubt whatsoever about making a
successful pass, wait for a better time.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement
markings, and lines. If you can see a
sign
up ahead that might indicate a
turn
or an intersection, delay your
pass. A broken center line usually
131.. .

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your Driving and the Road
a
a
indicates it’s all right to pass
(providing the road ahead is clear).
Never cross a solid line on your side
of the lane or a double solid line, even
if the road seems empty of
approaching traffic.
Do not get too close to the vehicle you
want to pass while you’re awaiting an
opportunity. For one thing, following
too closely reduces your area of
vision, especially if you’re following a
larger vehicle. Also, you won’t have
adequate space if the vehicle ahead
suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a
reasonable distance.
When it looks like a chance to pass is
coming up, start to accelerate but stay
in the right lane and don’t get too
close. Time your move
so you will be
increasing speed as the time comes to
move into the other lane. If the way is
clear to pass, you will have a “running
start” that more than makes up for the
distance you would lose by dropping
back. And
if something happens to
cause you to cancel your pass, you
need only slow down and drop back
again and wait for another
opportunity.
0
a
a
a
If other cars are lined up to pass a
slow vehicle, wait
your turn. But take
care that someone isn’t trying to pass
you as you pull out to pass the slow
vehicle. Remember to glance over
your shoulder and check the blind
spot.
Check your mirrors, glance over your
shoulder, and start your left lane
change signal before moving out of
the right lane to pass. When you are
far enough ahead of the passed vehicle
to see its front in your inside mirror,
activate your right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane.
(Remember that your right outside
mirror is convex. The vehicle you just
passed may seem to be farther away
from you than it really is.)
Try not to pass more than one vehicle
at a time on two-lane roads.
Reconsider before passing the next
vehicle.
Don’t overtake a slowly moving
vehicle too rapidly. Even though the
brake lights are not flashing, it may be
slowing down
or starting to turn.
If you’re being passed, make it easy
for the following driver to get ahead
of you. Perhaps you can ease a little to
the right.
loss of Control
Let’s review what driving experts say
about what happens when the three
control systems (brakes, steering and
acceleration) don’t have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what
the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep
trying to steer and constantly seek an
escape route or area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the
vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid most
skids by taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
“overdriving” those conditions. But skids
are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to
your Chevrolet’s three control systems. In
the brakmg skid your wheels aren’t
rolling. In the steering or cornering skid,
too much speed or steering in a curve
causes tires to slip and lose cornering
force. And in the acceleration skid too
. . .132