GMC SAVANA 2013 Repair Manual

Black plate (17,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
Seats and Restraints 3-17
{WARNING
Airbags inflate with great force,
faster than the blink of an eye.
Anyone who is up against, or very
close to, any airbag when it
inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. Do not sit unnecessarily
close to the airbag, as you would
be if you were sitting on the edge
of your seat or leaning forward.
Safety belts help keep you in
position before and during a
crash. Always wear your safety
belt, even with airbags. The driver
should sit as far back as possible
while still maintaining control of
the vehicle.
Occupants should not lean on or
sleep against the door or side
windows in seating positions with
roof-rail airbags.
{WARNING
Children who are up against,
or very close to, any airbag when
it inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. Airbags plus
lap-shoulder belts offer protection
for adults and older children, but
not for young children and infants.
Neither the vehicle safety belt
system nor its airbag system is
designed for them. Young
children and infants need the
protection that a child restraint
system can provide. Always
secure children properly in the
vehicle. To read how, seeOlder
Children on page 3‑33 orInfants
and Young Children on
page 3‑35.
There is an airbag readiness light
on the instrument panel, which
shows the airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag
electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an
electrical problem. See Airbag
Readiness Light on page 5‑14 for
more information.

Black plate (18,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
3-18 Seats and Restraints
Where Are the Airbags?
The driver frontal airbag is in the
middle of the steering wheel.
If the vehicle has one, the right front
passenger airbag is in the
instrument panel on the
passenger side.Driver Side Shown, PassengerSide Similar
If the vehicle is a cargo or
passenger van with a sliding door
and it has a roof-rail airbag for the
driver and right front passenger
position, the roof-rail airbags are in
the ceiling above the side window.

Black plate (19,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
Seats and Restraints 3-19
Driver Side Shown, PassengerSide Similar
If the vehicle has roof-rail airbags
for the driver, right front passenger,
passengers behind the driver and
right front passenger, and the third
row outboard passengers, the
roof-rail airbags are in the ceiling
above the side windows. On the
driver side of the vehicle, there is
one single roof-rail airbag for either
vehicles with a hinged door or a
sliding door. For passenger vans with a sliding
door, on the passenger side of the
vehicle, you will have a separate
roof-rail airbag for the passenger
seated directly behind the right front
passenger and the third row
outboard passenger position.
{WARNING
If something is between an
occupant and an airbag, the
airbag might not inflate properly
or it might force the object into
that person causing severe injury
or even death. The path of an
inflating 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.
Never secure anything to the roof
of a vehicle with roof-rail airbags
by routing a rope or tie down
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
through any door or window
opening. If you do, the path of an
inflating roof-rail airbag will be
blocked.
When Should an Airbag
Inflate?
Frontal airbags are designed to
inflate in moderate to severe frontal
or near-frontal crashes to help
reduce the potential for severe
injuries mainly to the driver or right
front passenger head and chest.
However, they are only designed to
inflate if the impact exceeds a
predetermined deployment
threshold. Deployment thresholds
are used to predict how severe a
crash is likely to be in time for the
airbags to inflate and help restrain
the occupants.
Whether the frontal airbags will or
should deploy is not based on how
fast the vehicle is traveling.

Black plate (20,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
3-20 Seats and Restraints
It depends largely on what you hit,
the direction of the impact, and how
quickly the vehicle slows down.
Frontal airbags may inflate at
different crash speeds. For
example:
.If the vehicle hits a stationary
object, the airbags could inflate
at a different crash speed than if
the vehicle hits a moving object.
.If the vehicle hits an object that
deforms, the airbags could
inflate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle hits an object
that does not deform.
.If the vehicle hits a narrow object
(like a pole), the airbags could
inflate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle hits a wide
object (like a wall).
.If the vehicle goes into an object
at an angle, the airbags could
inflate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle goes straight
into the object.Thresholds can also vary with
specific vehicle design.
Frontal airbags are not intended to
inflate during vehicle rollovers, rear
impacts, or in many side impacts.
Single Stage vs. Dual Stage
Airbags
Depending on the weight of the
vehicle, you will have either
“Single
Stage Airbags” or“Dual Stage
Airbags.” Vehicles that have a
passenger sensing system also
have dual stage airbags. See
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
on page 5‑16 orPassenger Sensing
System on page 3‑26.
If the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) of the vehicle is 3 855 kg
(8,500 lb) or above, the vehicle may
have single stage airbags. If the
GVWR is below 3 855 kg (8,500 lb)
then the vehicle may have dual
stage airbags. You can find the
GVWR on the certification label on
the rear edge of the driver door. See
Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑10
for more information. Dual-stage airbags adjust the
restraint according to crash severity.
The vehicle has electronic frontal
sensors, which help the sensing
system distinguish between a
moderate frontal impact and a more
severe frontal impact. For moderate
frontal impacts, dual-stage airbags
inflate at a level less than full
deployment. For more severe frontal
impacts, full deployment occurs.
The vehicle may or may not have
roof-rail airbags. See
Airbag System
on page 3‑16. Roof-rail airbags are
intended to inflate in moderate to
severe side crashes. In addition,
these roof-rail airbags are intended
to inflate during a rollover. Roof-rail
airbags will inflate if the crash
severity is above the system's
designed threshold level. The
threshold level can vary with
specific vehicle design.
Roof-rail airbags are not intended to
inflate in frontal impacts, near-frontal
impacts, or rear impacts. All roof-rail
airbags will deploy when either side
of the vehicle is struck.

Black plate (21,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
Seats and Restraints 3-21
In any particular crash, no one can
say whether an airbag should have
inflated simply because of the
damage to a vehicle or because of
what the repair costs were.
For frontal airbags, inflation is
determined by what the vehicle hits,
the angle of the impact, and how
quickly the vehicle slows down.
For roof-rail airbags, deployment is
determined by the location and
severity of the side impact.
In a rollover event, roof‐rail airbag
deployment is determined by the
direction of the roll.
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate?
In a deployment event, the sensing
system sends an electrical signal
triggering a release of gas from the
inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the
airbag causing the bag to break out
of the cover and deploy. The inflator,
the airbag, and related hardware are
all part of the airbag module.Frontal airbag modules are located
inside the steering wheel and
instrument panel. For vehicles with
roof-rail airbags, there are airbag
modules in the ceiling of the vehicle,
near the side windows for the first,
second, and third rows (if equipped).
See
Where Are the Airbags? on
page 3‑18 for more information.
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. Frontal
airbags distribute the force of the
impact more evenly over the
occupant's upper body, stopping the
occupant more gradually. Roof-rail airbags distribute the force of the
impact more evenly over the
occupant's upper body.
Rollover capable roof-rail airbags
are designed to help contain the
head and chest of occupants in the
outboard seating positions in the
first, second, and third rows,
if equipped. The rollover capable
roof-rail airbags are designed to
help reduce the risk of full or partial
ejection in rollover events, although
no system can prevent all such
ejections.
But airbags would not help in many
types of collisions, primarily
because the occupant's motion is
not toward those airbags. See
When Should an Airbag Inflate? on
page 3‑19
for more information.
Airbags should never be regarded
as anything more than a supplement
to safety belts.

Black plate (22,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
3-22 Seats and Restraints
What Will You See after
an Airbag Inflates?
After the frontal airbags inflate, they
quickly deflate, so quickly that some
people may not even realize an
airbag inflated. Roof-rail airbags
may still be at least partially inflated
for some time after they deploy.
Some components of the airbag
module may be hot for several
minutes. For location of the airbag
modules, seeWhat Makes an
Airbag Inflate? on page 3‑21.
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 deflated
airbags. Airbag inflation does not
prevent the driver from seeing out of
the windshield or being able to steer
the vehicle, nor does it prevent
people from leaving the vehicle.
{WARNING
When an airbag inflates, 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 inflates, 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.
The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors
(if equipped with power door locks),
turn on the interior lamps and
hazard warning flashers, and shut
off the fuel system after the airbags
inflate. You can lock the doors, and turn off the interior lamps and the
hazard warning flashers by using
the controls for those features.
{WARNING
A crash severe enough to inflate
the airbags may have also
damaged important functions in
the vehicle, such as the fuel
system, brake and steering
systems, etc. Even if the vehicle
appears to be drivable after a
moderate crash, there may be
concealed damage that could
make it difficult to safely operate
the vehicle.
Use caution if you should attempt
to restart the engine after a crash
has occurred.
In many crashes severe enough to
inflate the airbag, windshields are
broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the right front
passenger airbag.

Black plate (23,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
Seats and Restraints 3-23
.Airbags are designed to inflate
only once. After an airbag
inflates, you will need some new
parts for the airbag system.
If you do not get them, the airbag
system will not be there to help
protect you in another crash.
A new system will include airbag
modules and possibly other
parts. The service manual for
the vehicle covers the need to
replace other parts.
.The vehicle has a crash sensing
and diagnostic module which
records information after a
crash. SeeVehicle Data
Recording on page 13‑13.
.Let only qualified technicians
work on the airbag systems.
Improper service can mean that
an airbag system will not work
properly. See your dealer for
service.
Airbag On-Off Switch
If the instrument panel has one of
the switches pictured in the
following illustrations, the vehicle
has an airbag on-off switch that you
can use to manually turn on or off
the right front passenger airbag.
United States
Canada and Mexico
If the vehicle does not have an
airbag on-off switch, it may have a
passenger sensing system. See
Passenger Sensing System on
page 3‑26.

Black plate (24,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
3-24 Seats and Restraints
This switch should only be turned to
the off position if the person in the
right front passenger position is a
member of a passenger risk group
identified by the national
government as follows:
Infant. An infant (less than
1 year old) must ride in the front
seat because:
.My vehicle has no rear seat;
.My vehicle has a rear seat too
small to accommodate a
rear-facing infant seat; or
.The infant has a medical
condition which, according to the
infant's physician, makes it
necessary for the infant to ride in
the front seat so that the driver
can constantly monitor the
child's condition.Child age 1 to 12. A child
age 1 to 12 must ride in the front
seat because:
.My vehicle has no rear seat;
.Although children ages 1 to 12
ride in the rear seat(s) whenever
possible, children ages 1 to 12
sometimes must ride in the front
because no space is available in
the rear seat(s) of my vehicle; or
.The child has a medical
condition which, according to the
child's physician, makes it
necessary for the child to ride in
the front seat so that the driver
can constantly monitor the
child's condition.
Medical Condition. A passenger
has a medical condition which,
according to his or her physician:
.Causes the passenger airbag to
pose a special risk for the
passenger; and
.Makes the potential harm from
the passenger airbag in a crash
greater than the potential harm
from turning off the airbag and
allowing the passenger, even if
belted, to hit the instrument
panel or windshield in a crash.
{WARNING
If the right front passenger airbag
is turned off for a person who is
not in a risk group identified by
the national government, that
person will not have the extra
protection of an airbag. In a
crash, the airbag will not be able
to inflate and help protect the
person sitting there. Do not turn
off the passenger airbag unless
the person sitting there is in a risk
group.

Black plate (25,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
Seats and Restraints 3-25
United States
Canada and MexicoTo turn off the right front passenger
frontal airbag, insert the ignition key
into the switch, push in, and move
the switch to the off position.
The airbag off light will come on to
let you know the right front
passenger airbag is off. The airbag
off light will stay on to remind you
that the airbag is off. See
Airbag
On-Off Light on page 5‑15. The right
front passenger airbag will remain
off until you turn it back on again.
{WARNING
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. For
example, the right front
passenger airbag could inflate
even though the airbag on-off
switch is turned off.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
To help avoid injury to yourself or
others, have the vehicle serviced
right away. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 5‑14 for more
information, including important
safety information.
United States

Black plate (26,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
3-26 Seats and Restraints
Canada and Mexico
To turn the right front passenger
airbag on again, insert the ignition
key into the switch, push in, and
move the switch to the on position.
The right front passenger frontal
airbag is now enabled, and
may inflate. See Airbag On-Off Light
on page 5‑15 for more information.
Passenger Sensing
System
If the instrument panel has one of
the indicators pictured in the
following illustrations, the vehicle
has a passenger sensing system
unless there is an airbag off switch
located on the instrument panel.
If there is an airbag off switch, the
vehicle does not have a passenger
sensing system. See Airbag On-Off
Switch on page 3‑23 for more
information.
United States
Canada and Mexico
The passenger airbag status
indicator will be visible on the
instrument panel when the vehicle is
started.
The words ON and OFF, or the
symbol for on and off, will be visible
during the system check. If you are
using remote start, if equipped, to
start the vehicle from a distance,
you may not see the system check.
When the system check is
complete, either the word ON or the
word OFF, or the symbol for on or
the symbol for off, will be visible.
See Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator on page 5‑16.
The passenger sensing system will
turn off the right front passenger
frontal airbag under certain
conditions. The driver airbag and