steering wheel CHEVROLET COLORADO 2007 1.G Owners Manual

There is an airbag
readiness light on
the instrument panel
cluster, which shows
the airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag electrical system
for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is
an electrical problem. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 185for more information.Where Are the Airbags?
The driver’s airbag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.
80

If your vehicle has a roof-mounted side impact
airbag for the right front passenger and the person
seated directly behind that passenger, it is
located in the ceiling above the side windows.
{CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant
and an airbag, the bag 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. If your vehicle
has side impact airbags, never secure
anything to the roof of your vehicle by
routing the rope or tie down through any
door or window opening. If you do, the
path of an inating side impact airbag
will be blocked. The path of an inating
airbag must be kept clear.
82

What Makes an Airbag Inate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag
sensing system detects that the vehicle is
in a crash. The sensing system triggers a
release of gas from the inator, which inates
the airbag. The inator, airbag, and related
hardware are all part of the airbag modules
inside the steering wheel and in the instrument
panel in front of the right front passenger.
For vehicles with roof-mounted side impact
airbags, there are also airbag modules in the
ceiling of the vehicle, near the side windows.
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. Airbags distribute the force of the
impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper
body, stopping the occupant more gradually.
But the frontal airbags would not help you in
many types of collisions, including rollovers,
rear impacts, and many side impacts, primarily
because an occupant’s motion is not toward
the airbag. Side impact airbags would not
help you in many types of collisions, including
many frontal or near frontal collisions, rollovers,
and rear impacts.
Airbags should never be regarded as anything
more than a supplement to safety belts, and
then only in moderate to severe frontal or
near-frontal collisions for the driver’s and
right front passenger’s frontal airbags, and
only in moderate to severe side collisions for
vehicles with side impact airbags.
85

What Will You See After an
Airbag Inates?
After a frontal airbag inates, it quickly deates,
so quickly that some people may not even realize
the airbag inated. Roof-mounted side impact
airbags may still be at least partially inated
minutes after the vehicle comes to rest. Some
components of the airbag module — the steering
wheel hub for the driver’s airbag, the instrument
panel for the right front passenger’s airbag
or the ceiling of your vehicle near the side
windows — may be hot for a short time. The parts
of the airbag that come into contact with you
may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There
may be some smoke and dust coming from the
vents in the deated airbags. Airbag ination
does not prevent the driver from seeing out
of the front windshield or being able to steer
the vehicle, nor does it prevent people from
leaving the vehicle.
{CAUTION:
When an airbag inates, there may be
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 cannot get out of the vehicle
after an airbag inates, then get fresh
air by opening a window or a door. If you
experience breathing problems following
an airbag deployment, you should seek
medical attention.
86

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 460.
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 460.
95

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 425
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.
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.
96

Ignition Positions
With the key in
the ignition switch,
you can turn to
four different
positions.
LOCK (A):This position locks the ignition. It also
locks the transmission on automatic transmission
vehicles. It will locks the steering wheel on manual
transmission vehicles when the key is removed.
It is a theft-deterrent feature. You will only be
able to remove your key when the ignition is
turned to LOCK.If you have an automatic transmission, the ignition
switch cannot be turned to LOCK unless the
shift lever is in PARK (P).
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 all the way in. If it is, turn the steering
wheel left and right while you turn the key
hard. If none of this works, then your vehicle
needs service.
ACC (ACCESSORY) (B):This is the position in
which you can operate your electrical accessories
or items plugged into the accessory power
outlets. On automatic transmission vehicles,
this position unlocks the ignition. On manual
transmission vehicles, it unlocks the ignition and
steering wheel. Use this position if your vehicle
must be pushed or towed.
119

Automatic Transmission Operation
Your automatic transmission has a shift lever on
the steering column.
It features an electronic shift position indicator
within the instrument cluster. This display must
be powered anytime the shift lever is capable
of being moved out of PARK (P). This means that
if your key is turned off, but not in LOCK, there
will be a small current drain on your battery which
could discharge your battery over a period of
time. If you need to leave your key in the ignition
but not in LOCK for an extended period, it is
recommended that you disconnect the battery
cable from the battery to prevent discharging
your battery.
There are several different positions for your
shift lever.PARK (P):This position locks your rear 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 135.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing
a Trailer on page 306.
124

Four-Wheel Drive
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, you can send
your engine’s driving power to all four wheels for
extra traction. To get the best performance out of
four-wheel drive, you must be familiar with its
operation. Read the part that follows before using
four-wheel drive. You should use two-wheel-drive
high for most normal driving conditions.
Notice:Driving on clean, dry pavement in
four-wheel drive for an extended period of
time can cause premature wear on your
vehicle’s powertrain. Do not drive on clean,
dry pavement in Four-Wheel Drive for
extended periods of time.
Notice:If your vehicle has four-wheel drive
and the compact spare tire is installed on
your vehicle, do not drive in four-wheel drive
until you can have your at tire repaired and/or
replaced. You could damage your vehicle,
and the repair costs would not be covered
by your warranty. Never use four-wheel drive
when the compact spare tire is installed
on your vehicle.The transfer case buttons are located to the right
of the steering wheel on the instrument panel.
Recommended Transfer Case Settings
Driving ConditionsTransfer Case Settings
2m4m4nN
Normal YES
Severe YES
Extreme YES
Vehicle in Tow* YES
*SeeRecreational Vehicle Towing on page 300
orTowing Your Vehicle on page 299for further
information.
129

OnStar®Hands-Free Calling
OnStar®Hands-Free Calling allows eligible
OnStar®subscribers to make and receive calls
using voice commands. Hands-Free Calling is fully
integrated into the vehicle, and can be used with
OnStar
®Pre-Paid Minute Packages. Hands-Free
Calling may also be linked to a Verizon Wireless
service plan in the U.S. or a Bell Mobility service
plan in Canada, depending on eligibility. To nd
out more, refer to the OnStar
®Owner’s Guide
in the vehicle’s glove box, visit www.onstar.com
or www.onstar.ca, or speak with an OnStar
®
advisor by pressing the OnStar®button or
calling 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827).
OnStar®Virtual Advisor
OnStar®Virtual Advisor is a feature of OnStar®
Hands-Free Calling that uses your minutes to
access location-based weather, local traffic reports,
and stock quotes. By pressing the phone button
and giving a few simple voice commands, you
can browse through the various topics. See the
OnStar
®Owner’s Guide for more information.
(Only available in the continental U.S.)
OnStar®Steering Wheel Controls
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Talk/Mute
button that can be used to interact with OnStar®
Hands-Free Calling.
On some vehicles, you may have to hold the
button for a few seconds and give the command
“ONSTAR” in order to activate the OnStar
®
Hands-Free Calling feature.
On some vehicles, the mute button can be
used to dial numbers into voicemail systems,
or to dial phone extensions. See the OnStar
®
Owner’s Guide for more information.
151