sensor GMC SIERRA CLASSIC 2007 Owners Manual

Dual Stage Airbags
If your vehicle has frontal airbags with dual stage
deployment, the amount of restraint will adjust
according to crash severity. Your vehicle has
electronic frontal sensors which help the sensing
system distinguish between a moderate and a
more severe frontal impact. For moderate frontal
impacts, these airbags inate at a level less
than full deployment. For more severe frontal
impacts, full deployment occurs. If the front of your
vehicle goes straight into a wall that does not
move or deform, the threshold level for the
reduced deployment is about 10 to 16 mph
(16 to 25 km/h), and the threshold level for a full
deployment is about 20 to 30 mph (32 to 48 km/h).
The threshold level can vary, however, with
specic vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat
above or below this range.Vehicle’s with dual stage airbags also have
special sensors which enable the sensing system
to monitor the position of both the driver and
passenger front seats. The seat position sensor
provides information which is used to determine if
the airbags should deploy at a reduced level or
at full deployment.
What Makes an Airbag Inate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag
sensing system detects that the vehicle is in a
crash. The sensing system triggers a release of gas
from the inator, which inates the airbag. The
inator, airbag, and related hardware are all part of
the airbag modules inside the steering wheel and in
the instrument panel in front of the right front
passenger.
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The passenger sensing system will turn off the
right front passenger’s frontal airbag under certain
conditions. The driver’s airbag is not part of the
passenger sensing system.
The passenger sensing system works with
sensors that are part of the right front passenger’s
seat and safety belt. The sensors are designed
to detect the presence of a properly-seated
occupant and determine if the passenger’s frontal
airbag should be enabled (may inate) or not.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if
they are restrained in the rear rather than the front
seat. We recommend that child restraints be
secured in a rear seat, including an infant riding in
a rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a
forward-facing child seat and an older child riding
in a booster seat.
Your vehicle may have a label on your sun visor
that says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat in the
front.” This is because the risk to the rear-facing
child is so great, if the airbag deploys.
{CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can
be seriously injured or killed if the right
front passenger’s airbag inates. This is
because the back of the rear-facing child
restraint would be very close to the
inating airbag.
Even though the passenger sensing
system is designed to turn off the
passenger’s frontal airbag if the system
detects a rear-facing child restraint, no
system is fail-safe, and no one can
guarantee that an airbag will not deploy
under some unusual circumstance, even
though it is turned off. We recommend
that rear-facing child restraints be secured
in the rear seat, even if the airbag is off.
If you need to secure a forward-facing
child restraint in the right front seat,
always move the front passenger seat as
far back as it will go. It is better to secure
the child restraint in a rear seat.
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{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key
is turned off and the battery is
disconnected, an airbag can still inate
during improper service. You can be
injured if you are close to an airbag when
it inates. Avoid yellow connectors. They
are probably part of the airbag system. Be
sure to follow proper service procedures,
and make sure the person performing
work for you is qualied to do so.
The airbag system does not need regular
maintenance.
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the front of
the vehicle that could keep the airbags
from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your
vehicle’s frame, bumper system, height,
front end or side sheet metal, they may keep
the airbag system from working properly.
Also, the airbag system may not work properly
if you relocate any of the airbag sensors. If
you have any questions about this, you should
contact Customer Assistance before you
modify your vehicle. The phone numbers and
addresses for Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure in this manual. SeeCustomer
Satisfaction Procedure on page 638.
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The DRL system will come on when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on
The exterior lamps control is in AUTO
The light sensor determines it is daytime
When the DRL are on, only your DRL lamps will
be on. The taillamps, sidemarker, and other lamps
will not be on. The instrument panel back
lighting will not be on either.
When it begins to get dark, the automatic
headlamp system will switch from DRL to the
headlamps.
When you turn the headlamp switch off, the
headlamps will go off.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, the automatic
headlamp system will turn on the headlamps at the
normal brightness, along with the taillamps,
sidemarker, parking lamps, and the instrument
panel lights. The radio back lighting will also
be dimly lit.
To turn off the automatic headlamp system, turn
the exterior lamps switch to the off position.
Turning off the automatic headlamp system with
the headlamp switch is not available for vehicles
rst sold in Canada.
Your vehicle has a light sensor located on the top
of the instrument panel in the defroster grille
that regulates when the automatic headlamps turn
on. Be sure it is not covered, or the headlamps
will come on whenever the ignition is on.
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The system may also turn on the headlamps when
driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast
weather, or a tunnel. This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the
daytime and nighttime operation of the Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL) and the automatic headlamp
systems so that driving under bridges or bright
overhead street lights does not affect the system.
The DRL and automatic headlamp system will only
be affected when the light sensor detects a change
in lighting lasting longer than the delay.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the
automatic headlamp system will come on
immediately. Once you leave the garage, it will
take approximately one minute for the automatic
headlamp system to change to DRL if it is
bright enough outside. During that delay, your
instrument panel cluster may not be as bright as
usual. Make sure your instrument panel brightness
control is in the full bright position. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 226.To idle your vehicle with the automatic headlamp
system off, turn the control to the off position.
You may be able to turn off your Automatic
Headlamp System. SeeDaytime Running Lamps
(DRL) on page 222for more information.
Your headlamps will also stay on after you exit the
vehicle. You can program this feature using the
Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Vehicle
Customization on page 282.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the
regular headlamp system when needed.
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When AUTO is selected, the air conditioning
operation and air inlet will be automatically
controlled. The air conditioning compressor will
run when the outside temperature is over
about 40°F (4°C). The air inlet will normally be
set to outside air. If it is hot outside, the air
inlet may automatically switch to recirculate
inside air to help quickly cool down your
vehicle. The light on the button will come on in
recirculation.
2. Set the driver’s and passenger’s temperature.
To nd your comfort setting, start with a 74°F
(23°C) temperature setting and allow about
20 minutes for the system to regulate. Turn the
driver’s or passenger’s side temperature
knob to adjust the temperature setting as
necessary. If you choose the temperature
setting of 60°F (15°C) the system will remain
at the maximum cooling setting. If you
choose the temperature setting of 90°F (32°C)
the system will remain at the maximum
heat setting. Choosing either maximum setting
will not cause the vehicle to heat or cool
any faster.Be careful not to cover the solar sensor
located on the top of the instrument panel
near the windshield. This sensor regulates air
temperature based on sun intensity. It also
turns on the headlamps. For more information
on the solar sensor, see “Sensors” later in
this section.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the
system will delay turning on the fan until
warm air is available. The length of delay
depends on the engine coolant temperature.
Pressing the fan switch will override this delay
and change the fan to a selected speed.
9(Off):Press this button to turn off the entire
climate control system. Outside air will still
enter the vehicle, and will be directed to the oor.
This direction can be changed by pressing the
mode button. The temperature can also be
adjusted using either temperature knob. Press the
up or down arrows on the fan switch, the defrost
button, the AUTO button, or the air conditioning
button to turn the system on when it is off.
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Sensors
The solar sensor, located in the defrost grille, that
is in the middle of the instrument panel, monitors
the solar radiation. Do not cover the solar
sensor or the system will not work properly.There is an interior temperature sensor located
next to the steering wheel that measures the
temperature of the air inside your vehicle.
There is also an exterior temperature sensor
located behind the front grille. This sensor reads
the outside air temperature and helps maintain the
temperature inside the vehicle. Any cover on
the front of the vehicle could cause a false reading
in the displayed temperature.
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In order to prevent false temperature readings at
startup, the displayed temperature will not
change until the following occurs:
Vehicle speed is above 10 mph (16 kmh) for
5 minutes.
Vehicle speed is above 32 mph (51 kmh) for
2 and a half minutes.
The climate control system uses the information
from these sensors to maintain your comfort
setting by adjusting the outlet temperature, fan
speed, and the air delivery mode. The system may
also supply cooler air to the side of the vehicle
facing the sun. The recirculation mode will also be
used as needed to maintain cool outlet
temperatures.
Defogging and Defrosting
You can use either defog or front defrost to clear
fog or frost from your windshield. Use the
defog mode to clear the windows of fog or
moisture. Use the front defrost button to defrost
the front windshield.
-(Defog):Use this setting to clear the windows
of fog or moisture. Press the mode button to
select this setting. This setting will deliver air to
the oor and windshield outlets.
0(Front Defrost):Press the front defrost button
to defrost the windshield. The system will
automatically control the fan speed if you select
defrost from AUTO mode. If the outside
temperature is 40°F (4°C) or warmer, your air
conditioning compressor will automatically run to
help dehumidify the air and dry the windshield.
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Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a
chime will sound for several seconds to remind
people to buckle their safety belts. The driver
safety belt light will also come on and stay on for
several seconds, then it will ash for several
more. You should buckle your seat belt.
This chime and light will
be repeated if the driver
remains unbuckled
and the vehicle
is in motion.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 270for
more information on driver and passenger
safety belt reminders.
If the driver’s belt is buckled, neither the chime nor
the light will come on.
SeePassenger Sensing System on page 103for
more information.
Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel cluster, which shows the airbag symbol. The
system checks the airbag’s electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an
electrical problem. The system check includes the
airbag sensors, the airbag modules, the wiring and
the crash sensing and diagnostic module and, if
equipped, the passenger sensing system. For more
information on the airbag system, seeAirbag
System on page 91.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash
for a few seconds.
This means the system
is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after the
vehicle is started or comes on while you are
driving, the airbag system may not be working
properly. Have your vehicle serviced right away.
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CHANGE ENGINE OIL
This message is displayed when the engine oil
needs to be changed.
When you change the engine oil, be sure to reset
the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message. See
Engine Oil Life System (Gasoline Engine) on
page 489,Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on
page 486, andScheduled Maintenance (Gasoline
Engine) on page 617for more information.
CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE
On some vehicles, if there is a problem with the
generator and battery charging system, this
message will appear on the DIC, a chime will
sound, and the battery warning light on the
instrument panel cluster will come on. Driving with
this problem could drain the battery. Turn off all
unnecessary accessories. Stop and turn off
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Have
the electrical system checked by your dealer
immediately. SeeBattery Warning Light on
page 253andVoltmeter Gage on page 253for
more information.
CHECK OIL LEVEL
If your vehicle has an oil level sensor, and the oil
level in the vehicle is low, this message will
appear on the DIC. Check the oil level and correct
it as necessary. You may need to let the vehicle
cool or warm up and cycle the ignition to be
sure this message will clear. Once the problem is
corrected, pressing any of the four DIC buttons
will acknowledge the message and clear it from the
DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the
four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset
stem will acknowledge the message and clear
it from the DIC display. SeeEngine Oil (Gasoline
Engine) on page 486for additional information.
CHECK WASHER FLUID
If the washer uid level is low, this message will
appear on the DIC. SeeWindshield Washer
Fluid on page 516. Adding washer uid to the
windshield washer reservoir will clear the
message. Pressing any of the four DIC buttons
will acknowledge the message and clear it from the
DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the
four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset
stem will acknowledge the message and clear
it from the DIC display.
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