GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Three-Point Front Seat Belt System

The Sedan and Wagon have a front seat belt system, left and right, that consist of a retractor, a latch plate, buckle, turning loop and a height adjuster. The front seat belt system incorporates an emergency locking retractor (ELR), which is designed to lock the seat belt webbing in place during emergency vehicle maneuvers. During all normal driving conditions, however, the seat belt is free to unwind. The ELR system will lock the seat belt webbing under the following conditions:

    • When the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating
    • When the vehicle is inclined
    • When the webbing is pulled out rapidly

In addition to the ELR system, the passenger belt system (Sedan and Wagon) incorporates a CHOM which is designed to lock the seat belt webbing in place while using a child seat. To activate the CHOM system, feed the latch plate through the child seat and into the buckle. Pull the seat belt all the way out of the retractor, then feed back in until the child seat is secure. While the CHOM is activated, a slight clicking sound will be audible when the belt is fed into the retractor. To de-activate the CHOM system, simply unbuckle the seat belt and feed it all the way into the retractor.

Three-Point Rear Seat Belt System

The rear seat is equipped with three seat belt systems. The two outboard seat belt systems incorporate an emergency locking retractor (ELR), which is designed to lock the seat belt webbing in place during emergency vehicle maneuvers. However, during all normal driving conditions, the seat belt is free to unwind. The ELR system will lock the seat belt webbing under the following conditions:

    • When the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating
    • When the vehicle is inclined
    • When the webbing is pulled out rapidly

In addition to the ELR system, the two outboard seat belt systems (Sedan and Wagon) incorporates a CHOM which is designed to lock the seat belt webbing in place while using a child seat. To activate the CHOM system, feed the latch plate through the child seat and into the buckle. Pull the seat belt all the way out of the retractor, then feed back in until the child seat is secure. While the CHOM is activated, a slight clicking sound will be audible when the belt is fed into the retractor. To de-activate the CHOM system simply unbuckle the seat belt and feed it all the way into the retractor.

The center seat belt system is equipped only with a lap belt which is adjusted manually. The center seat belt does not incorporate an ELR.

Seat Belts

The seat belt system includes front seat outboard shoulder seat belts, rear seat outboard shoulder seat belts and center lap seat belts. A child tether bracket is standard on all models.

The driver's seat belt includes a reminder lamp and tone alarm to warn the driver that the seat belt is not buckled when the ignition is turned to the RUN position. If the driver's seat belt is BUCKLED, the tone alarm will not operate and the reminder lamp will turn OFF.

If the driver's seat belt IS NOT BUCKLED, the sound signal will provide an audible reminder for 8 seconds. The seat belt telltale will remain on for 30 seconds followed by 1 minute of flashing after which the lamp will turn OFF.