GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Caution: It can be dangerous to drive with the cargo area covered and the tailgate and the midgate open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You cannot see or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death. If you must drive with the tailgate and midgate open or if electrical wiring or other cable connections must pass through the seal between the body and the midgate:

   • Make sure all windows are shut.
   • Turn the fan on your heating or cooling system to its highest speed with the setting on outside air. That will force outside air into your vehicle. See Dual Climate Control System .
   • If you have air outlets on or under the instrument panel, open them all the way. See Engine Exhaust .

Midgate

Your vehicle is equipped with a midgate and power midgate glass. The midgate allows you to extend the length of your vehicle's cargo area.

Lowering the Midgate

The midgate can be lowered to allow the cargo area of your vehicle to extend into the cab. The midgate cannot be lowered when the glass is up.

To lower the midgate, do the following:

  1. Fold and tumble the rear seats. The front seats might have to be moved forward slightly to allow the rear seats to fold and tumble. See Rear Seat Operation for more information.
  2. (Midgate glass): Press this overhead console button to lower the midgate glass with the key in the ignition. The midgate can be lowered without the key in the ignition if the midgate glass is already down.
  3. Caution: When the midgate is raised or lowered, unsecured safety belts can be damaged and may not restrain you in a crash. To help avoid personal injury, always secure belts in the retainers before operating the midgate.

  4. Clip the second row safety belts into the retainers. They are mounted on the pillars below where the safety belt passes through the trim panel. This prevents the safety belt from being tangled in the midgate when opening or closing the midgate.
  5. Press the midgate release button located on the driver's side of the midgate while pulling the release handle.
  6. Lower the midgate and secure it in the down position by engaging the midgate to the floor support. The latch for the floor support is found on the driver's side of the vehicle.

Raising the Midgate

To return the midgate to its normal position, release the midgate by pulling up on the lever found on the driver's side midgate support. Reverse the steps for lowering the midgate listed previously. The midgate must be fully latched on both sides before the midgate glass can be raised.