Chevrolet Spark Owners Manual: Infants and Young Children
Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes infants and all other children. Neither the distance traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes the need, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact, the law in every state in the United States and in every Canadian province says children up to some age must be restrained while in a vehicle.
Warning
Children can be seriously injured or strangled if a shoulder belt is wrapped around their neck. The shoulder belt can tighten but cannot be loosened if it is locked.
The shoulder belt locks when it is pulled all the way out of the retractor. It unlocks when the shoulder belt is allowed to go all the way back into the retractor, but it cannot do this if it is wrapped around a child’s neck.
If the shoulder belt is locked and tightened around a child’s neck, the only way to loosen the belt is to cut it.
Never leave children unattended in a vehicle and never allow children to play with the safety belts.
Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles, they should have the protection provided by appropriate child restraints. Neither the vehicle's safety belt system nor its airbag system is designed for them.
Children who are not restrained properly can strike other people, or can be thrown out of the vehicle.
Warning
Never hold an infant or a child while riding in a vehicle. Due to crash forces, an infant or a child will become so heavy it is not possible to hold it during a crash.
For example, in a crash at only 40 km/h (25 mph), a 5.5 kg (12 lb) infant will suddenly become a 110 kg (240 lb) force on a person's arms. An infant should be secured in an appropriate restraint.
Warning
Children who are up against, or very close to, any airbag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in the front outboard seat. Secure a rear-facing child restraint in a rear seat. It is also better to secure a forward-facing child restraint in a rear seat. If you must secure a forward-facing child restraint in the front outboard seat, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go.
Q: What are the different types of add-on child restraints?
A: Add-on child restraints, which are purchased by the vehicle owner, are available in four basic types. Selection of a particular restraint should take into consideration not only the child's weight, height, and age but also whether or not the restraint will be compatible with the motor vehicle in which it will be used.
For most basic types of child restraints, there are many different models available. When purchasing a child restraint, be sure it is designed to be used in a motor vehicle. If it is, the restraint will have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards.
The restraint manufacturer instructions that come with the restraint state the weight and height limitations for a particular child restraint. In addition, there are many kinds of restraints available for children with special needs.
Warning
To reduce the risk of neck and head injury during a crash, infants need complete support. In a crash, if an infant is in a rear-facing child restraint, the crash forces can be distributed across the strongest part of an infant's body, the back and shoulders. Infants should always be secured in rear-facing child restraints.
Warning
A young child's hip bones are still so small that the vehicle's regular safety belt may not remain low on the hip bones, as it should.
Instead, it may settle up around the child's abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply force on a body area that is unprotected by any bony structure. This alone could cause serious or fatal injuries. To reduce the risk of serious or fatal injuries during a crash, young children should always be secured in appropriate child restraints.
Older Children
Older children who have outgrown booster seats should wear the vehicle safety
belts.
The manufacturer instructions that come with the booster seat state the weight
and height limitations for ...
Child Restraint Systems
Rear-Facing Infant Seat
A rear-facing infant seat provides restraint with the seating surface against
the back of the infant.
The harness system holds the infant in place and, in a crash, acts ...
Other materials:
New Vehicle Break-In
Caution
The vehicle does not need an elaborate break-in. But it will perform
better in the long run if you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or slow, for
the first 805 km (500 mi).
Do not make full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting to brake or slow t ...
Managing the Vehicle Damage Repair Process
In the event that the vehicle requires damage repairs, GM recommends that you
take an active role in its repair. If you have a pre-determined repair facility
of choice, take the vehicle there, or have it towed there.
Specify to the facility that any required replacement collision parts be origi ...
Safety Belts
This section of the manual describes how to use safety belts properly. It also
describes some things not to do with safety belts.
Warning
Do not let anyone ride where a safety belt cannot be worn properly.
In a crash, if you or your passenger(s) are not wearing safety belts, injuries can
be ...
