service schedule SATURN ASTRA 2008 Owners Manual

Airbag System Check
The airbag system does not need
regularly scheduled maintenance
or replacement. Make sure the
airbag readiness light is working.
SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 4-14for more information.
Notice:If an airbag covering is
damaged, opened, or broken, the
airbag may not work properly.
Do not open or break the airbag
coverings. If there are any opened
or broken airbag covers, have
the airbag covering and/or airbag
module replaced. For the location
of the airbag modules, seeWhat
Makes an Airbag Inflate? on
page 1-28. See your dealer/retailer
for service.
Replacing Airbag System
Parts After a Crash
{CAUTION
A crash can damage the
airbag systems in your vehicle.
A damaged airbag system
may not work properly and
may not protect you and your
passenger(s) in a crash,
resulting in serious injury or
even death. To help make
sure your airbag systems are
working properly after a crash,
have them inspected and any
necessary replacements made
as soon as possible.If an airbag inates, you will need
to replace airbag system parts.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
If the airbag readiness light stays
on after the vehicle is started
or comes on when you are driving,
the airbag system may not work
properly. Have the vehicle serviced
right away. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 4-14for more
information.
1-36 Seats and Restraints
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Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local
governments have or might begin
programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle.
Failure to pass this inspection
could prevent getting a vehicle
registration.
Here are some things to know to
help the vehicle pass an inspection:
The vehicle will not pass this
inspection if the check engine
light is on or not working properly.
The vehicle will not pass this
inspection if the OBD (on-board
diagnostic) system determines
that critical emission control
systems have not been
completely diagnosed by the
system. The vehicle would
be considered not ready for
inspection. This can happen
if the battery has recently beenreplaced or if the battery has
run down. The diagnostic system
is designed to evaluate critical
emission control systems during
normal driving. This can take
several days of routine driving.
If this has been done and the
vehicle still does not pass the
inspection for lack of OBD system
readiness, your dealer/retailer can
prepare the vehicle for inspection.
Oil Pressure Light
{CAUTION
Do not keep driving if the oil
pressure is low. The engine can
become so hot that it catches
re. You or others could be
burned. Check the oil as soon
as possible and have the
vehicle serviced.Notice:Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance may damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always follow the maintenance
schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
This light comes on briey when the
ignition is turned on as a check to
be sure it works. If it does not, have
the vehicle serviced.
If the light comes on and stays on, it
means that oil is not owing through
the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and might have
some other system problem.
4-22 Instruments and Controls
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Low Oil Level Light
This light should come on briey
when the ignition is turned on as
a check to let you know that the
light is working.
If this light comes on and stays on
while the engine is running, it means
your engine is low on oil. You need
to check the oil level as soon as
possible. SeeEngine Oil on page 9-7
for further information.
Notice:Lack of proper engine
oil maintenance may damage the
engine. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this
manual for changing engine oil.
Winter Driving Mode
Light
This light will come on when the
winter driving mode feature is in use.
When you turn off the winter driving
mode feature, the light will go out.
If it stays on, your vehicle may need
service. See your dealer/retailer.
See “Winter Driving Mode” under
Automatic Transmission Operation
on page 8-5for more information.
Fog Lamp Light
The fog lamp light will come on
when the fog lamps are in use.
The light will go out when the fog
lamps are turned off. SeeFog
Lamps on page 5-2for more
information.
Instruments and Controls 4-23
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Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6for the location of
the engine air cleaner/lter.
When to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the
MaintenanceIIintervals and replace
it at the rst oil change after each
50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval.
See “Schedule Maintenance”
in Service and Maintenance formore information. If you are driving
in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect
the lter at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter,
remove the lter from the vehicle
and lightly shake the lter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the lter
remains caked with dirt, a new lter
is required.
To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/lter.
1. Remove the screws that hold
the cover on.
2. Disconnect the electrical
connector.
3. Lift off the cover.
4. Inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/lter.
5. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to
reinstall the cover and reconnect
the electrical connector.
{CAUTION
Operating the engine with the
air cleaner/lter off can cause
you or others to be burned.
The air cleaner not only cleans
the air; it helps to stop ames if
the engine backres. If it is not
there and the engine backres,
you could be burned. Do not
drive with it off, and be careful
working on the engine with the
air cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter
is off, a backre can cause a
damaging engine re. And, dirt
can easily get into your engine,
which will damage it. Always have
the air cleaner/lter in place
when you are driving.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-11
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Automatic Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check
the transmission uid level.
A transmission uid leak is the only
reason for uid loss. If a leak
occurs, take your vehicle to the
dealer/retailer service department
and have it repaired as soon
as possible.
Change the uid and lter at the
intervals listed in the Maintenance
Schedule. See “Additional
Required Services” in Service
and Maintenance. Be sure to use
the transmission uid listed in
“Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in Service and
Maintenance.
Notice:Use of the incorrect
automatic transmission uid
may damage your vehicle,
and the damages may not becovered by your warranty.
See “Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants” in the Limited
Warranty, Maintenance and Owner
Assistance Information manual.
Manual Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
manual transmission uid level.
A transmission uid leak is the only
reason for uid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to the
dealer/retailer service department
and have it repaired as soon
as possible. You may also have
your uid level checked by
your dealer/retailer when you have
your oil changed. See “Part D:
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in Service and
Maintenance for the proper uid
to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in
your vehicle is self-adjusting.
This system does not have its own
reservoir. It receives uid from
the brake master cylinder reservoir.
SeeBrakes on page 9-22for more
information.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle
is lled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in your vehicle for ve years
or 150,000 miles (240 000 km),
whichever occurs rst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
®extended life
coolant.
The following explains your cooling
system and how to add coolant
when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see
Engine Overheating on page 9-15.
9-12 Vehicle Service and Care
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Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder and, on
manual transmission vehicles,
the clutch hydraulic system use the
same reservoir. The reservoir is
lled with DOT-4 brake uid.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6for the location of
the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake uid level in the reservoir
might go down. The rst is that the
brake uid goes down to an
acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings
are put in, the uid level goes
back up. The other reason is that
uid is leaking out of the brake
or clutch hydraulic system. If it is,have the brake or clutch hydraulic
system xed, since a leak means
that sooner or later the brakes
or clutch will not work well.
It is not a good idea to top off the
brake uid. Adding brake uid
will not correct a leak. If uid is
added when the linings are worn,
there will be too much uid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove brake uid,
as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake or clutch
hydraulic system.
{CAUTION
If your vehicle has too much
brake uid, it can spill on the
engine. The uid will burn if the
engine is hot enough. You or
others could be burned, and
your vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake uid only when work
is done on the brake and/or
clutch hydraulic system.Refer to “Scheduled Maintenance”
in the Limited Warranty,
Maintenance and Owner Assistance
Information manual to determine
when to check the brake uid.
Checking Brake Fluid
The brake uid can be checked
without taking off the cap by looking
at the brake uid reservoir.
The uid level should be above
MIN. If it is not, have your brake
hydraulic system checked to see
if there is a leak. After work is done
on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the level is above the
MIN but not over the MAX mark.
What to Add
When you do need brake uid,
use only DOT-4 brake uid.
It is recommended that you ush
the brake hydraulic system and
rell it with new DOT-4 uid
at a regular maintenance service
every two years. See “Additional
9-22 Vehicle Service and Care
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TPMS Malfunction Light
The TPMS will not function properly
if one or more of the TPMS
sensors are missing or inoperable.
When the system detects a
malfunction, the low tire warning
light ashes for about one minute
and then stays on for the remainder
of the ignition cycle. Some of the
conditions that can cause the
malfunction light to come on are:
One of the road tires has been
replaced with the spare tire. The
spare tire does not have a TPMS
sensor. The TPMS malfunction
light and DIC message should go
off once you re-install the road tire
containing the TPMS sensor.
One or more TPMS sensors are
missing or damaged. The TPMS
malfunction light should go off
after the TPMS sensors are
installed and the vehicle is
driven for a few moments over
19 mph (31 km/h). See your
dealer/retailer for service.
Replacement tires or wheels do
not match the vehicle’s original
equipment tires or wheels. Tires
and wheels other than those
recommended for the vehicle
could prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. SeeBuying
New Tires on page 9-54.
Operating electronic devices or
being near facilities using radio
wave frequencies similar to the
TPMS could cause the TPMS
sensors to malfunction.
If the TPMS is not functioning it
cannot detect or signal a low tire
condition. See your dealer/retailer
for service if the TPMS malfunction
light comes on and stays on.
Tire Inspection and
Rotation
Inspect tires regularly for signs of
wear or damage. Also inspect the
spare tire. For more information
on tire inspection, seeWhen It Is
Time for New Tires on page 9-53.
Rotating vehicle tires helps them
to wear evenly and keeps the
vehicle performing like it did
when tires were new.
Rotate the tires and check
wheel alignment approximately
every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km) or when
unusual tire wear is noted.
See “Scheduled Maintenance”
in the Index of the “Limited
Warranty, Maintenance
and Owner Assistance
Information” manual for more
information. Also check the
wheels for damage, seeWheel
Replacement on page 9-58
for more information.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-51
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Online Owner Center
(United States only)
This is a resource for your Saturn
ownership needs. Specic vehicle
information can be found in one
place.
The Online Owner Center allows
you to:
Get e-mail service reminders.
Access information about
your specic vehicle, including
tips and videos and an electronic
version of this owner manual.
Keep track of your vehicle’s
service history and maintenance
schedule.
Find Saturn retailers for service
nationwide.
Receive special promotions and
privileges only available to
members.
Refer to saturn.com on the web for
updated information and to
register your vehicle.
My GM Canada (Canada only)
My GM Canada is a
password-protected section of
gmcanada.com where you can save
information on GM vehicles, get
personalized offers, and use handy
tools and forms with greater ease.
Here are a few of the valuable tools
and services you will have access to:
My Showroom: Find and save
information on vehicles and
current offers in your area.
My Dealers/Retailers: Save details
such as address and phone
number for each of your preferred
GM Dealers or Retailers.
My Driveway: Receive service
reminders and helpful advice on
owning and maintaining your
vehicle.
My Preferences: Manage your
prole, subscribe to E-News
and use tools and forms with
greater ease.
To sign up, visit the My GM Canada
section within gmcanada.com.
Customer Assistance for
Text Telephone (TTY)
Users
To assist owners who have hearing
difficulties, Saturn has installed
special TDD (Telecommunication
Devices for the Deaf) equipment in
its Saturn Customer Assistance
Center.
Any hearing or speech-impaired
customer who has access to a TDD
or to a conventional Text Telephone
(TTY) can communicate with
Saturn by dialing 1-800-TDD-6000.
TTY users in Canada may dial
1-800-263-3830.
11-4 Customer Information
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Towing and Road Service
Exclusions
Specically excluded from Roadside
Assistance coverage are towing
or services for vehicles operated on
a non-public roadway or highway,
nes, impound towing caused
by a violation of local, Municipal,
State, Provincial or Federal law, and
mounting, dismounting or changing
of snow tires, chains, or other
traction devices.
Roadside Assistance is not part
of or included in the coverage
provided by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. Saturn and General
Motors of Canada Limited reserve
the right to make any changes or
discontinue the Roadside Assistance
program at any time without
notication.
Scheduling Service
Appointments
When your vehicle requires warranty
service, contact your dealer/retailer
and request an appointment. By
scheduling a service appointment
and advising your service consultant
of your transportation needs, your
dealer/retailer can help minimize
your inconvenience.
If your vehicle cannot be scheduled
into the service department
immediately, keep driving it until
it can be scheduled for service,
unless, of course, the problem is
safety-related. If it is, please call your
dealership/retailer, let them know
this, and ask for instructions.
If the dealer/retailer requests you to
bring the vehicle for service, you
are urged to do so as early in
the work day as possible to allow
for the same day repair.
Courtesy Transportation
To enhance your ownership
experience, we and our participating
retailers are proud to offer Courtesy
Transportation, a customer support
program for vehicles with the Bumper
to Bumper (Base Warranty Coverage
period in Canada) and extended
powertrain warranty in both the U.S.
and Canada.
Several courtesy transportation
options are available to assist
in reducing your inconvenience
when warranty repairs are required.
Courtesy Transportation is not a
part of the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. A separate booklet
entitled “Warranty and Owner
Assistance Information” furnished
with each new vehicle provides
detailed warranty coverage
information.
11-8 Customer Information
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Transportation Options
Warranty service can generally
be completed while you wait.
However, if you are unable to wait,
Saturn helps to minimize your
inconvenience by providing several
transportation options. Depending on
the circumstances, your retailer can
offer you one of the following:
Shuttle Service
Shuttle service is the preferred
means of offering Courtesy
Transportation. Retailers may
provide you with shuttle service to
get you to your destination with
minimal interruption of your daily
schedule. This includes one-way or
round trip shuttle service within
reasonable time and distance
parameters of the retailer’s area.Public Transportation or Fuel
Reimbursement
If your vehicle requires overnight
warranty repairs, and public
transportation is used instead of
the retailer’s shuttle service, the
expense must be supported by
original receipts and can only be up
to the maximum amount allowed by
Saturn for shuttle service. In addition,
for U.S. customers, should you
arrange transportation through
a friend or relative, limited
reimbursement for reasonable
fuel expenses may be available.
Claim amounts should reect actual
costs and be supported by original
receipts. See your retailer for
information regarding the allowance
amounts for reimbursement of fuel
or other transportation costs.Courtesy Rental Vehicle
Your retailer may arrange to provide
you with a courtesy rental vehicle or
reimburse you for a rental vehicle
that you obtain if your vehicle is kept
for an overnight warranty repair.
Rental reimbursement will be limited
and must be supported by original
receipts. This requires that you sign
and complete a rental agreement
and meet state/provincial, local, and
rental vehicle provider requirements.
Requirements vary and may include
minimum age requirements,
insurance coverage, credit card,
etc. You are responsible for fuel
usage charges and may also be
responsible for taxes, levies, usage
fees, excessive mileage, or rental
usage beyond the completion of the
repair.
It may not be possible to provide a
like-vehicle as a courtesy rental.
Customer Information 11-9
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