GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 1440162  Size: A3

If the vehicle has a right front passenger airbag, it has an airbag on-off switch that you can use to manually turn on or off the right front passenger airbag.

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 dashboard or windshield in a crash.

Caution: If the right front passenger's 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's airbag unless the person sitting there is in a risk group.


Object Number: 1439315  Size: A3

To turn off the right front passenger frontal airbag, insert your ignition key into the switch, push in, and move the switch to the off position.

The airbag off light will come on and stay on to let you know that the right front passenger airbag is off. See Airbag Off Light. The airbag off light will stay on to remind you that the airbag is off. The right front passenger's airbag will remain off until you turn it back on again.

Caution: 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.

To help avoid injury to yourself or others, have the vehicle serviced right away. See Airbag Readiness Light for more information, including important safety information.


Object Number: 1440129  Size: A3

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 (may inflate). See Airbag Off Light for more information.