steering wheel CHEVROLET MALIBU 1997 5.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How the Air Bag System Works
E
I The right front passenger’s air bag is in the instrument
panel on the passenger’s side.
Where are the air bags?
The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.
1-23

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When should an air bag inflate?
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.
An air bag is designed to inflate in a moderate to severe
frontal or near-frontal crash. The air bag
will 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 16 mph (14 to 26 km/h). The threshold level
can
vary, however, with speci€ic 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
air bag is not designed to inflate in rollovers, side
impacts or rear impacts, because inflation would not
help the occupant.
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.
Inflation is determined by the angle of the impact and
how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal or
near-frontal impacts.
1-24

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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. 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 and
in the instrument panel in front of the
right front passenger.
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. Air bags supplement 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 help you in many types of collisions,
including rollovers, rear impacts and side 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-frontal collisions.
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
-- the
steering wheel hub for the driver’s air bag, or the
instrument panel for the right front passenger’s
bag
-- will be 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 vents
in the deflated air bags. Air bag
inflation doesn’t prevent the driver from seeing or from
being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people
from leaving the vehicle.
When an air bag inflates, therc 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 door.
1-25

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
e
a
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 for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information
about the air bag system. The module records
information about the readiness
of the system, when
the sensors are activated and driver’s safety belt
usage at deployment.
Let only qualified technicians work on your air
bag system. Improper service can mean that your air bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer
for service.
NOTICE:
~~
If you damage the covering for the driver’s or the
right front passenger’s
air bag, the bag may not
work properly.
You may have to replace the air
bag module in the steering wheel or both the air
bag module and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger’s
air bag. Do not open or
break the
air bag coverings.
1-26

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Section 2 Features and Controls
2-2
2-4
2-5
2-6 2- 8
2-1
1
2-13 2-13
2- 14
2-
17
2-18
2-22
2-22
2-26
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional featur\
es on your Chevrolet, 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.
Important Information About Keys
Door Locks Operation of Child Security Locks
Keyless Entry System
Battery Replacement for Keyless
Entry System
Preventing Theft
of Your Vehicle
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions
Tips on Starting Your Engine
Using the Engine Coolant Heater
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Second-Gear Start
Parking Brake Guidelines
Important Information on Engine Exhaust 2-27
2-28
2-29
2-30
2-30
2-33
2-36 2-37
2-3 8
2-40
2-42
2-47
2-48
2-52 Operation
of Your Windows
Adjusting the Tilt Steering Wheel
Functions of the Multifunction Lever
How to Use the High/Low Beam
Headlamp Changer
Windshield Wipers and Fluid
Using Cruise Control
Exterior Lamps Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Interior Lamps Rearview Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Sunroof
Instrument Panel Overview
All About Your Warning Lights and Gages

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Auto-Down Switch Tilt Wheel
The driver’s window switch has an auto-down feature.
This switch is labeled AUTO. Push the switch back
partway, and the driver’s window will open
a small
amount. If the switch
is pushed all the way back, the
window will
go all the way down.
To stop the window while it is lowering, move the
switch forward.
To raise the window, move and hold the
switch forward.
Lock Out Switch
The driver’s power window controls also include a
lock-out switch. Press
LOCK OUT to stop front and
rear passengers from using their window switches.
The driver
can still control all the windows with the
lock on. Press the
LOCK OUT button again for normal
window operation.
Horn
You can sound the horn by pressing the horn symbol on
your steering wheel.
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering
wheel before you drive.
You can also raise it to the highest level to give your
legs more room when you exit and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever toward you.
Move the steering wheel to a comfortable level, then
release the lever
to lock the wheel in place.
2-2s

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Setting Cruise Control
A C A UTION:
I
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you’re not using cruise,
you might hit a button
and go into cruise when
you don’t want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch
off until you want to use it.
The cruise control buttons are located on the center of
the steering wheel.
1. Press the cruise control ON/OFF button.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press the SETDECEL button and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This,
of course, shuts off
the cruise control. But you don’t need to reset it. Once
you’re going about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more, you can
press the cruise control RESUME/ACCEL button for
about half a second.
You’ll go right back up to your chosen speed and stay there.
If you press the RESUME/ACCEL button longer than
half a second, the vehicle will keep going faster until
you release the switch or apply the brake.
So unless you
want to
go faster, don’t hold down the
RESUME/ACCEL button.
2-34

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Fog Lamps (If Equipped)
The button for your fog
lamps is on the instrument
panel, to the left of the
steering wheel, beside
the instrument panel intensity control.
When using fog lamps, the parking lamps or low-beam
headlamps must be on.
Push the button to turn the fog lamps on. An indicator
light
on the button will glow when the fog lamps are on.
Push the button again to turn the fog lamps off.
The fog lamps will turn off whenever the high-beam
headlamps are turned on. When the high beams are
turned off, the fog lamps will come on again.
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Intensity Control
You can brighten or dim
the instrument panel
cluster lights by rotating
the switch, located
on the
instrument panel, to the
left of the steering wheel.
2-38

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Instrument Panel Cupholder
The instrument panel cupholder is located to the left of
the steering wheel.
To use it, pull it out until the rubber
insert
is revealed. The insert is removable for easy
cleaning.
To clean it, use spray window cleaner.
Center Console Cupholder
The console provides space for holding a cup or soft
drink container. The cupholder is located
at the rear of
the shifter.
Rear Seat Cupholder
Pull down the door on the rear of the center console to
use the rear seat cupholder. You can use it to hold cups
or juice boxes.
2-43

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front
of you, you won’t have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti-lock brakes.
Using Anti-Lock
Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel the
system working, or you may notice some noise, but this
is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose 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 curve 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.
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. Adding the sudden acceleration
can demand too
much of those places.
You can lose control.
4-9