INFO. ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOCKING FEATURE OF SAFETY BELT. GMC Truck GMC Suburban

SUBJECT: INFORMATION ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOCKING FEATURE OF SAFETY BELTS

MODELS: 1988-96 CHEVROLET AND GMC C/K MODELS

THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOCKING FEATURE WAS ADDED TO C/K VEHICLES IN LIMITED APPLICATIONS AS EARLY AS 1987. THE PURPOSE OF THIS FEATURE IS TO SECURE INFANT AND RESTRAINTS DURING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AND IN ACCIDENTS. MANY SAFETY BELTS ARE BEING UNNECESSARILY REPLACED DUE TO INCOMPLETE OR INCORRECT UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROPER OPERATION OF THIS FEATURE. CUSTOMER CONCERNS RESULTING FROM THESE MISUNDERSTANDINGS INCLUDE, "BELT WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO LEAN FORWARD, BELT LOCKS IN ONE POSITION, AND BELT TIGHTENS WHEN DRIVING ON BUMPY ROADS."

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE CUSTOMER UNDERSTAND THAT THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOCKING FEATURE IS SET WHEN THE SAFETY BELT IS PULLED ALL THE WAY OUT OF THE RETRACTOR. THIS CAN SOMETIMES HAPPEN UNINTENTIONALLY PARTICULARLY, (1) SET WHEN A MORE PADDED UPFITTER SEAT IS IN THE VEHICLE, (2) WHEN THE OCCUPANT HAS THE SEAT POSITIONED FORWARD, OR (3) WHEN A LARGE OCCUPANT IS USING THE SAFETY BELT. WHEN THE LOCKING FEATURE IS SET, IT WILL MAKE A CLICKING NOISE AS THE BELT RETRACTS AND WILL NOT ALLOW FURTHER BELT EXTENSION UNTIL THE BUCKLE IS RELEASED AND THE BELT IS ALLOWED TO FULLY RETRACT. THIS FEATURE IS IMPORTANT WHEN A CHILD OR INFANT RESTRAINT IS BEING USED, BUT UNINTENTIONAL SETTING OF THE FEATURE MAY RESULT IN ADULT OCCUPANTS MENTIONING ONE OF THE ABOVE LISTED CONCERNS.

THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOCKING FEATURE IS CURRENTLY IN USE IN ALL C/K MODEL SEATING POSITIONS, WITH THE EXCEPTIONS OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT, EXTENDED CAB REAR SEAT AND THE MIDDLE SEATING POSITION ON BENCH SEATS.

NOTE: BELTS WITH THIS FEATURE HAVE A LABEL ON THE WEBBING REFERRING THE CUSTOMER TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR A COMPLETE EXPLANATION OF PROPER SAFETY BELT USE.

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GENERAL MOTORS BULLETINS ARE INTENDED FOR USE BY PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS, NOT A "DO-IT-YOURSELFER". THEY ARE WRITTEN TO INFORM THOSE TECHNICIANS OF CONDITIONS THAT MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES, OR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT COULD ASSIST IN THE PROPER SERVICE OF A VEHICLE. PROPERLY TRAINED TECHNICIANS HAVE THE EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND KNOW-HOW TO DO A JOB PROPERLY AND SAFELY. IF A CONDITION IS DESCRIBED, DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE BULLETIN APPLIES TO YOUR VEHICLE, OR THAT YOUR VEHICLE WILL HAVE THAT CONDITION. SEE A GENERAL MOTORS DEALER SERVICING YOUR BRAND OF GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE FOR INFORMATION ON WHETHER YOUR VEHICLE MAY BENEFIT FROM THE INFORMATION.