GM’s Safety Features

Examples of GM’s continuous safety: before, during, and after a crash:

Before: Crash Avoidance

• StabiliTrak Control System
• Daytime Running Lamps
• Antilock Brakes
• Traction Control
• Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Forward Collision Warning
• Child Safety

During: Crashworthiness

• Vehicle structure and energy management
• Design for Crash Compatibility
• Automatic Air Bag Suppression Systems
• Saab Active Head Restraint System

After: Post Crash

• OnStar

StabiliTrak Control System

StabiliTrak is GM's electronic-stability-control system (ESC), which enhances vehicle stability on a variety of road surfaces, particularly on slick surfaces or during emergency maneuvers.

The system:

• Maximizes handling and braking dynamics by using a combination of systems and sensors including Antilock Braking System (ABS), traction control, and electronic suspension.
• Continually monitors the driver's intended vehicle path, measuring steering angle, wheel speed, brake pressure, lateral acceleration, longitudinal acceleration, and yaw rate. This information is provided to an electronic control module that continually monitors vehicle dynamics.
• Intervenes when it senses one or more of the wheels slipping, loss of lateral traction (side slip), or detects under-steer (snowplowing) or over-steer (fishtailing). Although the system cannot overcome the laws of physics, it automatically adjusts engine torque or brake pressure at individual wheels to help to steer the vehicle in the intended path.

StabiliTrak can assist the driver on snowy or wet roads by:

• Helping to move the vehicle where the driver intends it.
• Helping to control or minimize fishtailing .
• Assisting the driver in maintaining control while cornering on wet roads or uneven road surfaces, such as puddles or snow piles.
• Improving the stability and steering ability of the vehicle.
• Helping the vehicle respond more naturally and predictably to the driver's steering commands, even in avoidance maneuvers.

Studies of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems have demonstrated their ability to help reduce crash risks. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study states that ESC “has the potential to anticipate situations leading up to some crashes before they occur and has the capability in some cases to help prevent them.” A study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and published in 2004 said that “ESC reduced fatal single-vehicle crash risk by about 56 percent” and that “ESC reduced the risk of all single-vehicle crashes (fatal and non-fatal) – by 41 percent.” An updated IIHS study published in 2006 states that ESC “could prevent nearly one-third of all fatal crashes and reduce the risk of rollover over by as much as 80 percent.” The newer IIHS study also states that “researchers have updated the 2004 results, finding that ESC reduces fatal multiple crash risk by 32 percent.”

Millions of GM vehicles have been sold in North America with StabiliTrak. GM has produced more vehicles in more different market segments with electronic stability control than any other manufacturer. GM was the first automaker in the segment to add StabiliTrak as standard equipment on its Savanna and Express 15-passenger extended wheelbase vans. In 2006, GM offered Proactive Roll Avoidance, an enhancement to StabiliTrak. Proactive Roll Avoidance is designed to help stabilize a vehicle during cornering to help reduce the risk of a rollover. It is implemented on full-size SUVs and vans.

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Antilock Brakes

Antilock brakes are available on virtually all GM vehicles. Antilock brakes help drivers control a vehicle during hard braking on most slippery surfaces. They work by reducing wheel lock-up thereby helping the driver maintain steering control.

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Traction Control

Traction control is available on many passenger cars and trucks. It helps the driver maintain control on most slippery surfaces by reducing wheel spin.

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Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW)

In 2006, several GM models offer Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW). ACC is designed like conventional cruise control systems to set the vehicle’s speed using throttle. Unlike conventional cruise control, ACC automatically maintains a driver-selected distance between the GM vehicle and the vehicle ahead using throttle and brakes. In field research, ACC helped reduce tailgating and increased the time that drivers remained in their lanes, rather than switching lanes. Field research also found that drivers reported that ACC helped reduce driver “stress” compared with manual driving without ACC.

Forward Collision Warning (FCW) alerts the driver using audible alerts and an advisory display to help assist the GM driver in avoiding rear-end crashes. FCW provides visual and auditory cues for the “closing” distance between the GM vehicle and vehicle ahead. In field research, FCW was observed to reduce tailgating behavior. ACC and FCW are implemented together; however, even if the driver has not activated the Adaptive Cruise Control system, the vehicle’s Forward Collision Warning system will still issue an alert when appropriate.

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Child Safety

GM continues to recommend that children who are 12 years old and under should ride in a rear seat, properly restrained, in all vehicles, including vehicles with advanced air bag systems. Crash statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in a rear seat. Even in vehicles equipped with the passenger-sensing system and other advanced air bag systems, this recommendation applies to an infant riding in a rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a forward-facing child seat, an older child riding in a booster seat, and children large enough to wear a safety belt. For further information on how to properly secure children in a motor vehicle, please visit www.ourpreciouscargo.com.

GM also has created a GM airbag safety web site which provides extensive information, including videos, about GM's air bag leadership, the importance of air bags in vehicle safety, and how they work.

In 2006, GM marked its 10th anniversary of the Safe Kids Buckle Up partnership with Safe Kids Worldwide. Since the first child seat checkup in 1997, more than 800,000 car seats have been inspected by trained child seat installers. Each inspection can last up to 45 minutes. GM has donated more than $50 million to Safe Kids since 1996 and provided 137 vans for car seat inspections to coalitions around the country. The partnership also involves promoting safety for children around motor vehicles. GM was the first manufacturer to address the tragedy of children being trapped in car trunks. The illuminated handle to open the trunk has been required on all new vehicles since 2002. The focus on trunk entrapment evolved into the Never Leave Your Child Alone program, which stresses the dangers of leaving children for even a minute in a closed vehicle on a moderately warm or hot day. On average, 35 children a year die from heat stroke from being left in hot cars. In 2006, GM sponsored the national launch of Spot the Tot, an awareness program for parents, caregivers, and older siblings to visually inspect the perimeter of the vehicle to be sure young children are not playing under or near a vehicle.

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OnStar is a unique blend of cutting-edge technology and personal service that provides an unparalleled level of safety, security and peace of mind. It is a key element in GM's approach to continuous safety before, during, and after a crash. General Motors is making OnStar a standard feature and providing one year of service on all new retail vehicles sold in the United States and Canada. This expansion will be completed by the end of 2007. GM's commitment to increased OnStar availability can open new opportunities to help save lives and reduce the consequences of road related emergencies.

OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, is the U.S. and Canada's leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and communication services using wireless technology and the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite network to link the vehicle and driver to an OnStar Call Center, where advisors are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

OnStar safety and security services include automatic notification of air bag deployment, stolen vehicle location assistance, emergency services, turn-by-turn navigation, roadside assistance, remote door unlock, GM Goodwrench remote vehicle diagnostics, and a monthly diagnostic report emailed to more than two million OnStar subscribers. OnStar Hands-Free Calling allows drivers to make and receive hands-free, voice-activated calls from their vehicle. More information about OnStar can be found at www.onstar.com.

OnStar advisors are available at the touch of a button. Pressing the blue button can automatically connect the subscriber to the OnStar Call Center, where advisors help with safety, security, and convenience services. In an emergency or life-threatening situation, subscribers press the red OnStar emergency button. The call is routed to a specially trained OnStar advisor who has access to emergency service providers. The advisor will give emergency providers the subscriber's vehicle location and request for help. The advisor can stay on the line and conference-in the emergency-services provider.

High Value to Users

Recent OnStar research has indicated that drivers place a high value on the OnStar safety and security services, especially automatic air bag deployment notification, remote door unlocks, stolen vehicle assistance, and remote diagnostics. OnStar encourages its subscribers to be Good Samaritans and call OnStar to report situations where emergencyresponders may be needed.

Helping the U.S. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

OnStar has joined with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in its efforts to help find missing children. OnStar's GPS and wireless technologies, plus the expertise of its call center advisors can enable OnStar subscribers to help bring missing children home safely.

Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) on 24 New Models in 2006

OnStar also plays a key role in the event of a crash. If an air bag deploys in an OnStar-equipped vehicle, the OnStar Call Center is automatically notified within seconds of the deployment.

GM also offered the new Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) on 24 of its models in 2006. Using a collection of strategically located sensors, AACN can automatically send a digital crash signature from the crash scene to the OnStar Center for help if the vehicle is involved in a moderate to severe frontal, rear, or side impact crash, regardless of air bag deployment. AACN provides crash severity information to OnStar advisors who relay this data to 911 dispatchers. This information can help emergency service professionals make professional assessment on issues such as the probability of severe injuries; the appropriate combination of emergency personnel, equipment, and medical resources needed at the crash scene; and the best suited medical facility to treat the vehicle occupants.

Post-crash Vehicle Strategy

In addition to OnStar, which can help summon help, GM is implementing a post-crash vehicle strategy to help reduce risks for occupants and emergency responders. The systems include electrical system design to help maintain electrical system integrity in the primary circuit; help limit exhaust manifold surface temperature; help keep the doors closed and latched during the crash and enable at least one occupant side door to open without tools after the crash; and to turn on the vehicle’s lights, unlock the doors, and turn the HVAC blower off after the crash.

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