steering wheel GMC SIERRA 1995 Owners Manual

Supplemental Inflatable Restraint System
(SW
This part explains the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) system, or air
bag.
Your vehicle may have an air bag for the driver. If it does, it will say
Supplemental Inflatable Restraint
on the middle part of the steering wheel.
Here are the most important things
to know about the air bag system:
A CAUTION:
You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if you aren’t
wearing your safety belt
- even if you have an air bag. Wearing
your safety belt during a crash helps reduce your chance of
hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected from it. The air
bag is only a “supplemental restraint.” That is,
it works with
safety belts but doesn’t replace them.
Air bags are designed to
work only in moderate to severe crashes where the front of your
vehicle hits something. They aren’t designed to inflate at all in
rollover, rear, side, or low-speed frontal crashes. Everyone in
your vehicle, including the driver, should wear a safety belt
properly
- whether or not there’s an air bag for that person.
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Where is the air bag?
The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel.
Don’t put anything on, or attach anything to, the steering \
wheel.
Also, don’t put anything (such as pets or objects) between the
driver and the steering wheel.
If something is between an
occupant and an air bag, it could affect the performance
of the
air bag
- or worse, it could cause injury.
When should an air bag inflate?
The air bag is designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or
near-frontal crashes. 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 12 to 16
mph (19 to 26 kdh). 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
the
vehicle’s deceleration. Vehicle damage is only one indication of this.
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 a frontal or near-frontal impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is suddenly stopping
as a result of a crash.
The sensing system triggers a chemical reaction of the sodium azide sealed
in the inflator. The reaction produces nitrogen gas, which inflates the air
bag. The inflator, air bag, and related hardware are all part of
the air bag
module packed inside the steering wheel.
How does an air bag restrain?
rn moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering wheel. The air bag supplements the
protection provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force
of the
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impact more evenly over the occ.upant’s upper body, stopping the occupant
more gradually. But air bags would not help you
in many types of collisions,
including rollovers and rear and side impacts, primarily because an
occupant’s motion
is not toward the air bag. 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 the air bag inflates, it quickly deflates. This occurs so quickly that
some people may not even realize the air bag inflated. Some components of
the air bag module
in the steering wheel hub will be hot for a short time, but
the part of the bag that comes into contact with you will not be hot to the
touch. There will be some smoke
and dust coming from vents in the deflated
air bag. Air bag inflation
will not prevent the driver from seeing or from
being able to steer the vehicle, nor
will it stop people from leaving the
vehicle.
A 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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The air bag is designed to inflate only once. After it inflates, 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 the air bag module and possibly other parts.
The service manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace other
parts.
Your vehicle is equipped with a 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.
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Key in the Ignition
If you walk away from 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 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.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching your vehicle, it‘s best
to lock
it up and take your keys. But what if you have to leave your ignition
key? What if
you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your glove box.
Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
New Vehicle “Break-In ”
NOTICE:
Your modern vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate “break-in.” But
it will perform better in the long run if you follow these
guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for the first 500
miles (804 km).
Don’t drive at any one speed - fast or slow - for the first
500 miles
(804 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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New Vehicle “Break-In” - 3500 HD Model
If you have a 3500 HD model, your parking brake requires a special
break-in procedure. See “Parking Brake”
in the Index.
Ignition Switch
Use your key to start your vehicle. The key lets you turn the ignition switch
to five different positions:
2
5
1. OFF
2. RUN
3. START
4. ACC
5. LOCK
ACC (Accessory):
ACC lets you use things like the radio, power windows
and the windshield wipers when the engine is off. To get into ACC, push in
the key and turn it toward you. Your steering wheel will remain locked, just
as it was before you inserted the key.
LOCK: This position locks your ignition, steering wheel and transmission.
It’s
a theft deterrent feature. You will only be able to remove your key when
the ignition
is turned to LOCK.
OFF: This position lets you turn off the engine but still turn the steering
wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering wheel like LOCK. Use
OFF if you must
have your vehicle
in motion while the engine is off (for example, if your
vehicle is being pushed).
RUN: This is the position for driving.
START: This starts your engine.
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ITICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t turn it, be sure
it is 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.
Key Release Button
The ignition key cannot be removed
from the ignition
of
manual transmission
vehicles unless the
key release button is
used.
To Remove the Key
On manual transmission vehicles, turn the key to the LOCK position while
pressing the key release button in (see the caution earlier i\
n this section about the key release lever). Keeping your finger on the butt\
on, pull the key straight out.
On automatic transmission vehicles,
turn the key to LOCK and pull it
straight cwt.
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Horn
On air- bag equipped
vehicles, press one
of
the horn buttons at
each side of the
steering wheel
to
sound the horn.
On vehicles
not
equipped with an air
bag, press the pad in
the center of the
steering wheel to
sound the horn.
Tilt Wheel (Option)
A tilt steering wheel
allows you
to adjust
the steering
wheel
BEFORE you drive.
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You can also raise it to the highest level to give your legs more room when
you enter and exit the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the
steefifqj whe&l~~I-~uU the lever. Move the
steering wheel to a comfortable level, then release the lever to lock the
wheel in place.
Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column includes your:
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
0 Headlamp High-Low Beam & Passing Signal
0 Windshield Wipers
Windshield Washer
0 Cruise Control (Option)
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
The turn signal has
two upward (for right
signal) and two
downward (for left
signal) positions.
These
positions allow
you to signal a turn or
a lane change.
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Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you need to get your foot up
to the brake pedal. 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.
To Use Anti-Lock
Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down and let anti-lock
work for you. You may feel the brakes vibrate, or you may notice some
noise, but this is normal. On vehicles
with four-wheel drive, your anti-lock
brakes work at all times
- whether you are in two-wheel drive or
four-wheel drive.
Braking in Emergencies
Use your anti-lock braking system when you need to. 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.
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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.
What should you do if
this ever happens‘? Ease up on the accelerator pedal,
steer the vehicle the way you want
it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should adjust your speed.
Of
course, the posted speeds are based on good weather and road conditions.
Under less fivorable conditions you’ll want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as
you approach a curve, do it before you
enter the curve, while your front wheels are straight ahead.
Try
to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through the curve. Maintain a
reasonable, steady speed. Wdit to accelerate until you are out of the curve,
and then accelerate gently
into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective than braking. For
example, you come over a
hill and find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car
suddenly
pulls out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between parked
cars and stops right in front of you. You can avoid these problems by
braking
- if you can stop in time. But sometimes you can’t; there isn’t
room. That’s the time for evasive action
- steering around the problem.
Your vehicle can perform very
well in emergencies like these. First apply
your brakes. (See “Braking in Emergencies” earlier
in this section.) It is
better to remove
as much speed as you can from a possible collision. Then
steer around the problem, to the left or right depending on the space
available.
An emergency like this requires close attention and a quick decision. If you
are holding the steering wheel at the recommended
9 and 3 o’clock
positions, you can turn
it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing
either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly
straighten the wheel once you have avoided the object.
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