steering wheel CHEVROLET TRACKER 1998 1.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
“threshold level.” If your vehicle goes straight into a
wall that doesn’t move or deform, the threshold level is
about
8 to 12 mph (1 3 to 19 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.
The air bag system is designed to work properly under
a wide range of conditions, including off-road usage.
Observe safe driving speeds, especially on rough terrain.
As always, wear your safety belt. See “Off-Road
Driving” in the Index for more tips on off-road driving.
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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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.
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.
’ A CAUT IN: rn
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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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.
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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 reglace other parts.
Your vehicle is equipped wityi a,t-fslsh 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.
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.
Don’t
let anyone start the vehicle, even to tow it, unless
the battery cables are first disconnected.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 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.
New Vehicle ccBreak-InSS
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.)’ But
it will perform better in the
long run
if you follow these guidelines:
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Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 kmh) or
less for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t drive
at any one speed -- fast or
slow -- for the first 500 miles (805 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.
Don’t tow
a trailer during break-in.
See “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ignition Positions
m I With the key in the ignition
rr
4 I
switch, you can turn the
switch to four positions.
LOCK (A): This is the only position in which you can
remove the key. This locks your steering wheel, ignition and automatic transmission.
If you have
an automatic transmission, the ignition
switch can’t be turned to
LOCK unless the shift lever is
in
PARK (P).
ACC (B): This is the position in which you can operate
your electrical power accessories. It unlocks the steering
wheel and ignition. Use this position
if your vehicle
must be pushed or towed.
ON (C): This is the position that the switch returns to
after you start your engine and release the switch. The
switch stays in the
ON position when the engine is
running. But even when
the engine is not running, you
can use
ON to operate your electrical power accessories
and
to display some instrument panel warning and
indicator lights.
START (D): This is the position that starts the engine.
When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition
switch will return to
ON for normal driving.
When the engine is not running,
ACC and ON allow you
to operate your electrical accessories, such as the radio.
A warning tone will sound if you open the driver’s door
when the ignition is in
ACC or LOCK and the key is in
the ignition.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A
On manual transmission vehicles, turning the key
to
LOCK 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. Don’t push the key in while the vehicle
is moving.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while
you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch.
If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature. To restart
when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
I NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Chevrolet
is moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to
PARK (P) only when your
vehicle
is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL (N) and
the parking brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to
the
floor and start the engine. Your vehicle won’t start
if the clutch pedal
is not all the way down -- that’s a
safety feature.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Windows
Manual Windows
Use the window crank to open and close each
door window.
Power Windows (If Equipped)
With power windows, switches on the driver’s door
control each
of the front side windows when the ignition
is on. The
driver-controlled switches for the rear windows
are located on the center console.
There
are individual controls near each window.
The driver’s door also has a lock button for the
passenger window(s). When you push
LOCK, the
passenger window(s) can’t be raised or lowered. Push
LOCK again to unlock the window(s).
Horn
To sound the horn, press one of the horn symbols on the
sides of your steering wheel.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0 Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find information about driving on different lunds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We’ve also
included many other useful tips on driving.
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4-29 Defensive Driving
Drunken Driving
Control of a Vehicle
Braking
Steering
Off-Road Recovery
Passing
Loss of Control
Driving Guidelines
Off-Road Driving with Your Chevrolet
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle
Driving
at Night 4-3 1
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4-48 Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads
City Driving
Freeway Driving
Before Leaving on a Long Trip Highway Hypnosis
Hill and Mountain Roads
Winter Driving
Recreational Vehicle Towing Loading Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer
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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
firmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel a
slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise, but
this is normal.
ABS
ACTIVE
When your anti-lock system
is adjusting brake pressure
to help avoid a braking skid,
this light will come on. See
“Anti-Lock Brake System
Active Light” in the Index.
Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation
that requires hard braking.
If you have anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the
same time. However, if you don’t have anti-lock, your
first reaction
-- to hit the brake pedal hard and hold it
down
-- may be the wrong thing to do. Your wheels can
stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle can’t respond to
your steering. Momentum will carry it in whatever direction it was headed when the wheels stopped rolling.
That could be
off the road, into the very thing you were
trying to avoid, or into traffic.
If you don’t have anti-lock, use a “squeeze” braking
technique. This
will give you maximum braking while
maintaining steering control.
You do this by pushing on
the brake pedal with steadily increasing pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze the
brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear or
feel the wheels sliding, ease
off the brake pedal. This
will help
you retain steering control. (If you do have
anti-lock, it’s different: see “Anti-Lock Brakes” in
the Index
.)
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even
the very best braking.
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