What Are These?

TxDoc · February 9, 2002

1.Dual Level Airbags (Tracks with PSS)? PSS=passenger sensor system, but what is meant by the dual level with respect to air bags?

2.FMVSS 135 Brake Enhancements?

3.Upgraded Transfer Case?

SirLanchelot · February 9, 2002

1.Dual Level Airbags (Tracks with PSS)? PSS=passenger sensor system, but what is meant by the dual level with respect to air bags?

2.FMVSS 135 Brake Enhancements?

3.Upgraded Transfer Case?

1. Dual level probably means the bag blows at different speeds based upon occupant sensing. Intensity probably drops if it senses a child in the seat vs. adult (weight).

2. FMVSS is Federal Motor Vehicle Safety but not sure how that applies to this brake enhancement.

3. ??

WEFs99 · February 10, 2002

Go to the GM-TC home page and click on 2003 redisign. It gives out all the new poop.

TxDoc · February 12, 2002

Thanks. Got the info:

Automatic passenger-sensing system

Recognizing that today’s trucks often transport family as well as cargo, all 2003 Silverado and Sierra 1500 Series models feature an automatic passenger-sensing air bag system. It automatically deactivates the passenger-side air bag, based on the weight and position of the passenger seat occupant, to help protect children and small adults from air-bag induced injury.

Silverado and Sierra also continue to provide a passenger air bag cutoff switch on vehicles that previously offered it. The on/off switch allows occupants to manually deactivate (or activate) the passenger-side air bag. An air bag status indicator on the inside rear view mirror assembly notifies occupants whether the right-side air bag has been deactivated.

Dual-level air bags

Further enhancing occupant safety and protection are dual-level frontal air bags for the driver and front passenger. The system senses whether a crash has occurred, and its severity, to determine whether the air bags should be deployed. If deployment is called for, the system further calculates whether to deploy at full inflation level (for more severe crashes) or at a less-than-full level (for more moderate crashes).

A major benefit of the dual-level frontal air bag system may be realized in lower-speed crashes, where the single-stage inflation will help minimize the risk of injury to smaller occupants who may be sitting close to the air bag when it deploys. Dual-level air bags are standard in all GM full-size pickup models for 2003, excluding Sierra and Silverado HD models.

Improved brake systems

To help drivers avoid collisions, 2003 Sierra and Silverado light-duty pickup and chassis cabs incorporate an improved brake system. The new system provides enhanced stopping power for high deceleration stops and improved antilock brake performance. This enhanced brake system requires less maximum pedal force during high deceleration stops.

Should a failure or malfunction in the braking system occur, the system sounds warning chimes through the radio speakers, alerting drivers of the failure and the need to get it repaired. The chimes are activated whenever the red BRAKE or amber ABS telltale is illuminated.