instrument panel CHEVROLET MALIBU 1999 5.G Owners Manual

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The person keeps going until stopped by something.
In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield ...or the instrument panel ...

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CAUTION:
Air bags inflate with great force, faster than the blink
of an eye. If you're too close to an inflating air bag, as
you would be if you were leaning forward, it could
seriously injure you. This is true even with Next
Generation frontal air bags. Safety belts help keep
you in position before and during a crash. Always
wear your safety belt, even with Next Generation air
bags. The driver should sit as far back as possible
while still maintaining control of the vehicle.
CAUTION:
Children who are up against, or very close to, any
air bag when it inflates can be seriously injured or
killed. This is true even though your vehicle has
Next Generation frontal air bags. Air bags plus
lap
-shoulder belts offer the best protection for
adults, but not for young children and infants.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Neither the vehicle's safety belt system nor its air
bag system is designed for them. Young children
and infants need the protection that a child
restraint system can provide. Always secure
children properly in your vehicle. To read how,
see the part of this manual called ªChildrenº and
see the caution labels on the sunvisors and the
right front passenger's safety belt.
There is an air bag readiness
light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air
bag symbol.
The system checks the air bag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. See ªAir Bag Readiness Lightº in the Index
for more information.

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1-22 How the Air Bag System Works
Where are the air bags?
The driver's air bag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.
The right front passenger's air bag is in the instrument
panel on the passenger's side.

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CAUTION:
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.
When should an air bag inflate?
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
ªthreshold level.º If your vehicle goes straight into a
wall that doesn't move or deform, the threshold level is
about 9 to 14 mph (14 to 23 km/h). The threshold level
can vary, however, with specific 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.
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.

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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.
CAUTION:
When an air bag inflates, there is 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.

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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.

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 system
commands air bag inflation 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.
If your vehicle ever gets into a lot of water -- such as
water up to the carpeting or higher
-- or if water enters
your vehicle and soaks the carpet, the air bag controller
can be soaked and ruined. If this ever happens, and then
you start your vehicle, the damage could make the air
bags inflate, even if there's no crash. You would have to
replace the air bags as well as the sensors and related
parts. If your vehicle is ever in a flood, or if it's exposed
to water that soaks the carpet, you can avoid needless
repair costs by turning off the vehicle immediately and
disconnecting the battery cables. Don't let anyone start
the vehicle under any circumstances. See your dealer
for service.

2-
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Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, 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.
2
-2 Keys
2
-4 Door Locks
2
-6 Keyless Entry System (Option)
2
-9 Trunk
2
-11 Theft
2
-12 Passlock

2-13 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-13 Ignition Positions
2
-15 Starting Your Engine
2
-17 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-19 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-23 Parking Brake
2
-24 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-26 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-27 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-27 Engine Exhaust2
-28 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-29 Windows
2
-30 Tilt Wheel
2
-30 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-36 Exterior Lamps
2
-39 Interior Lamps
2
-40 Mirrors
2
-42 Storage Compartments
2
-43 Ashtray and Lighter
2
-44 Sun Visors
2
-44 Accessory Power Outlet
2
-45 Garment Hook
2
-45 Sunroof (If Equipped)
2
-46 The Instrument Panel-Your
Information System
2
-50 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

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2-5 Power Door Locks (If Equipped)
With the power door locks,
you can unlock or lock all
of the doors of your vehicle
from the driver or front
passenger door lock switch.
Pull up on the switch to unlock all of the doors. Push
down on it to lock all the doors.
Door Ajar Reminder
If one of the doors of your vehicle is not closed
properly, the ignition is on and you shift from PARK (P)
or NEUTRAL (N), you will hear a chime. Also, the
Door Ajar light on the instrument panel will come on
and stay on until the doors are closed and
completely latched.
Rear Door Security Locks
Your vehicle is equipped
with rear door security
locks that help prevent
passengers from opening
the rear doors of your
vehicle from the inside.
The switch is located on the inside of the rear door. To
use the security locks:
1. Move the switch up.
2. Close the door.
3. Do the same thing on the other rear door.

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CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can't see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the trunk lid open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the seal between the body and the
trunk lid:

Make sure all other windows are shut.

Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on VENT. That will force outside air into
your vehicle. See ªComfort Controlsº in
the Index.

If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.
Remote Trunk Release
Press the remote trunk
release button, located on
the lower left side of the
instrument panel, to release
the trunk lid.
Make sure the lockout feature is not activated. Also, the
remote trunk release will only work when the gearshift
lever is in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Remote Trunk Release Lockout
Your remote trunk release is equipped with a lockout
feature to help prevent unauthorized entry into the trunk
when leaving the vehicle unattended. The switch is
located on the inside of the trunk lid, mounted to the
trunk lid latch.

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To turn the lockout on, slide the switch all the way to the
left. To turn the lockout off, slide the switch all the way
to the right.
When the lockout is on, the remote trunk release switch
on the instrument panel will not release the trunk lid.
However, the trunk lid can still be opened with the key,
but not with the keyless entry transmitter.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle 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 leave 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 vehicle and open the driver's door,
you'll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your ignition and transaxle will be locked. 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.