SATURN ASTRA 2008 Owners Manual

When you release the brake with the
transmission in gear, you may feel
the transmission shift from Neutral to
Drive automatically. You may also
feel the transmission shift from Drive
to Neutral when the brake is applied.
This is normal operation of the
automatic transmission.
Downhill Grade Assist
When traveling down steep grades
your transmission may automatically
downshift into a lower gear when the
brake is applied. You may feel this
downshift. This performance feature
of your automatic transmission
assists with engine braking to reduce
wear on your brake system. This is
normal operation of the automatic
transmission.
Performance On Demand
This feature allows the driver to
automatically force a downshift,
when traveling at speeds less than
approximately 70 mph (112 km/h),
by fully pressing the accelerator
pedal.
Manual Transmission
Operation
Five-Speed
This is the shift pattern.
Here is how to operate your manual
transmission:
FIRST (1):Press the clutch pedal
and shift into FIRST (1). Then,
slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into FIRST (1) when
you are going less than 20 mph
(32 km/h). If you have come to a
complete stop and it is hard to shift
into FIRST (1), put the shift lever in
NEUTRAL (N) and let up on the
clutch. Press the clutch pedal back
down. Then shift into FIRST (1).SECOND (2):Press the clutch
pedal as you let up on the
accelerator pedal and shift into
SECOND (2). Then, slowly let up on
the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and
FIFTH (5):Shift into THIRD (3),
FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5), the
same way you do for SECOND (2).
Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator
pedal and press the brake pedal.
Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake pedal,
and shift to NEUTRAL (N).
NEUTRAL (N):Use this position
when you start or idle your engine.
REVERSE (R):With the vehicle
stationary, wait three seconds after
declutching and pull up on the
button on the selector lever
to engage reverse gear.
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If reverse gear does not engage, set
the selector lever in neutral, and
release the clutch pedal. Press the
clutch pedal again and repeat
the gear selection.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs wouldnot be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse)
only after the vehicle is stopped.
Also, use REVERSE (R), along
with the parking brake, to park your
vehicle.
Shift Speeds
{CAUTION
If you skip a gear when you
downshift, you could lose
control of your vehicle. You
could injure yourself or others.
Do not shift down more than
one gear at a time when you
downshift.
Parking Brake
The parking brake is located
between the driver and passenger
seats.
To set the parking brake, hold the
brake pedal down and pull up on the
parking brake lever.
To release the parking brake, hold
the brake pedal down. Pull the
parking brake lever up until you
can press the release button. Hold
the release button in as you move
the brake lever all the way down.
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A warning chime will sound and
a brake warning light located on the
instrument panel cluster will come
on, if the parking brake is set,
the ignition is on and the vehicle
speed is greater than 5 mph
(8 km/h).
Notice:Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the
brake system and cause
premature wear or damage
to brake system parts. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully
released and the brake warning
light is off before driving.Shifting Into Park
{CAUTION
It can be dangerous to get out
of your vehicle if the shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your
vehicle can roll. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or
others could be injured. To be
sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that
follow.1. Hold the brake pedal down
with your right foot and set
the parking brake. SeeParking
Brake on page 8-10for more
information.
2. Move the shift lever into
PARK (P) by holding in the button
on the shift lever and pushing the
shift lever all the way toward the
front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to
LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it
with you. If you can leave
your vehicle with the ignition
key in your hand, your vehicle
is in PARK (P).
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Leaving Your Vehicle with the
Engine Running
{CAUTION
It can be dangerous to leave the
vehicle with the engine running.
The vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not
fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake rmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and
even catch re. You or others
could be injured. Do not leave
the vehicle with the engine
running.If you have to leave your vehicle
with the engine running, be sure your
vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly set before you
leave it. After you have moved the
shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see
if you can move the shift lever away
from PARK (P) without rst pushing
the button.
If you can, it means that the shift
lever was not fully locked in
PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you
do not shift your transmission into
PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on
the parking pawl in the transmission.
You may nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P).This is called torque lock. To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake
and then shift into PARK (P) properly
before you leave the driver’s seat.
To nd out how, seeShifting Into
Park on page 8-11.
When you are ready to drive, move
the shift lever out of PARK (P)before
you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may
need to have another vehicle
push your vehicle a little uphill to
take some of the pressure from the
parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of
PARK (P).
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Shifting Out of Park
This vehicle has an electronic shift
lock release system. The shift
lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal
unless the shift lever is in
PARK (P) with the shift lever
button fully released.
Prevent movement of the shift
lever out of PARK (P), unless
the ignition is in the ON/RUN
position and the regular brake
pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always
functional except in the case of an
uncharged or low voltage (less
than 9 volt) battery.
If your vehicle has an uncharged
battery or a battery with low voltage,
try charging or jump starting the
battery. SeeJump Starting on
page 9-68for more information.To shift out of PARK (P) use the
following sequence:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Press the shift lever button.
3. Move the shift lever to the
desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out of
PARK (P):
1. Fully release the shift lever
button.
2. While holding down the brake
pedal, press the shift lever
button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the
desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift
lever from PARK (P), consult your
dealer/retailer or a professional
towing service.
Parking the Vehicle
Before you get out of your vehicle,
move the shift lever into FIRST (1) or
REVERSE (R) and rmly apply the
parking brake. Once the shift lever
has been placed into FIRST (1) or
REVERSE (R) with the clutch pedal
pressed in, you can turn the ignition
off and release the clutch.
Parking Over Things
That Burn
{CAUTION
Things that can burn could
touch hot exhaust parts under
your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry
grass, or other things that
can burn.
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Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION
Engine exhaust can kill. It
contains the gas carbon
monoxide (CO), which you
cannot see or smell. It can cause
unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming
in if:
The exhaust system sounds
strange or different.
Your vehicle gets rusty
underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in
a collision.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Your vehicle was damaged
when driving over high
points on the road or over
road debris.
Repairs were not done
correctly.
Your vehicle or the exhaust
system has been modied
improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is
coming into your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the
windows down to blow out
any CO.
Have your vehicle xed
immediately.
Running the Vehicle
While Parked
It is better not to park with the
engine running. But if you ever have
to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION
Idling the engine with the
climate control system off
could allow dangerous exhaust
into your vehicle. See the
earlier caution underEngine
Exhaust on page 8-14.
(Continued)
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CAUTION (Continued)
Also, idling in a closed-in place
can let deadly carbon monoxide
(CO) into your vehicle even if the
climate control fan is at the
highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come
in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Also see “If You Are Caught in a
Blizzard” underWinter Driving
on page 8-27.
{CAUTION
It can be dangerous to get out
of your vehicle if the shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your
vehicle can roll. Do not leave
your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to.
If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could
be injured. To be sure your
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level
ground, always set the parking
brake and move the shift lever
to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure
your vehicle will not move. See
Shifting Into Park on page 8-11.
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Driving Your Vehicle
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always
expect the unexpected.” The
rst step in driving defensively is to
wear your safety belt, seeSafety
Belts on page 1-8.
{CAUTION
Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and
other drivers) are going to be
careless and make mistakes.
Anticipate what they might do
and be ready. In addition:
Allow enough following
distance between you and
the driver in front of you.
Focus on the task of driving.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Driver distraction can cause
collisions resulting in injury or
possible death. These simple
defensive driving techniques
could save your life.
Drunk Driving
{CAUTION
Drinking and then driving is
very dangerous. Your reexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by
even a small amount of alcohol.
You can have a serious — or
even fatal — collision if you
drive after drinking. Do not
drink and drive or ride with a
driver who has been drinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you
are with a group, designate a
driver who will not drink.Death and injury associated with
drinking and driving is a global
tragedy.
Alcohol affects four things that
anyone needs to drive a vehicle:
judgment, muscular coordination,
vision, and attentiveness.
Police records show that
almost 40 percent of all motor
vehicle-related deaths involve
alcohol. In most cases, these deaths
are the result of someone who was
drinking and driving. In recent years,
more than 17,000 annual motor
vehicle-related deaths have been
associated with the use of alcohol,
with about 250,000 people injured.
For persons under 21, it is against
the law in every U.S. state to drink
alcohol. There are good medical,
psychological, and developmental
reasons for these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the
leading highway safety problem
is for people never to drink alcohol
and then drive.
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Medical research shows that alcohol
in a person’s system can make crash
injuries worse, especially injuries
to the brain, spinal cord, or heart.
This means that when anyone who
has been drinking — driver or
passenger — is in a crash, that
person’s chance of being killed or
permanently disabled is higher than
if the person had not been drinking.
Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help
to control your vehicle while
driving — brakes, steering, and
accelerator. At times, as when
driving on snow or ice, it is easy to
ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide.
Meaning, you can lose control of
your vehicle.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 9-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 4-17.
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. First, you
have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then
you have to bring up your foot and
do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about
three-fourths of a second. But that
is only an average. It might be
less with one driver and as long
as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical
condition, alertness, coordination,
and eyesight all play a part.
So do alcohol, drugs, and
frustration. But even in three-fourths
of a second, a vehicle moving at
60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet
(20 m). That could be a lot of
distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.And, of course, actual stopping
distances vary greatly with the
surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of
the road, whether it is wet, dry, or icy;
tire tread; the condition of the brakes;
the weight of the vehicle; and the
amount of brake force applied.
Avoid needless heavy
braking. Some people drive in
spurts — heavy acceleration
followed by heavy braking — rather
than keeping pace with traffic. This
is a mistake. The brakes might not
have time to cool between hard
stops. The brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking.
If you keep pace with the traffic and
allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
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If your vehicle’s engine ever stops
while you are driving, brake normally
but do not pump the brakes. If you
do, the pedal could get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you
will still have some power brake
assist. But you will use it when you
brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it can take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 9-3.Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Antilock
Brake System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that
will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start the engine and
begin to drive away, ABS will check
itself. You might hear a momentary
motor or clicking noise while this
test is going on, and you might even
notice that the brake pedal moves a
little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS,
this warning light will stay on.
SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on page 4-18.Let us say the road is wet and you
are driving safely. Suddenly, an
animal jumps out in front of you.
You slam on the brakes and
continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels
are slowing down. If one of
the wheels is about to stop rolling,
the computer will separately
work the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake
pressure faster than any driver could.
The computer is programmed to
make the most of available tire and
road conditions. This can help you
steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps
receiving updates on wheel speed
and controls braking pressure
accordingly.
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