tow SATURN ASTRA 2008 Owners Manual

Seats and Restraints......... 1-1
Front Seats
.................... 1-2
Rear Seats
.................... 1-7
Safety Belts
................... 1-8
Airbag System
..............1-23
Child Restraints
.............1-37
Keys, Doors and
Windows............................ 2-1
Keys
............................. 2-2
Doors and Locks
............ 2-5
Theft-Deterrent Systems
... 2-7
Windows
......................2-10
Mirrors
.........................2-12
Sunroof
........................2-13
Storage.............................. 3-1
Storage
......................... 3-1
Instruments and
Controls............................. 4-1
Instrument Panel
Overview
.................... 4-2
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
............4-11Driver Information
Center (DIC)
.............4-26
OnStar
®System
............4-38
Lighting............................. 5-1
Lighting
......................... 5-1
Infotainment...................... 6-1
Audio System(s)
............. 6-1
Climate Controls............... 7-1
Climate Controls
............. 7-1
Driving and Operating....... 8-1
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
................ 8-2
Driving Your Vehicle
......8-16
Fuel
............................8-35
Vehicle Service
and Care............................ 9-1
Service
.......................... 9-2
Owner Checks
................ 9-5
Headlamp Aiming
..........9-26
Bulb Replacement
.........9-28
Electrical System
...........9-33
Tires
...........................9-38Tire Changing
...............9-60
Jump Starting
...............9-68
Towing
........................9-72
Appearance Care
..........9-72
Technical Data.................10-1
Vehicle Identication
......10-1
Capacities and
Specications
............10-2
Customer Information......11-1
Customer Information
.....11-1
Reporting Safety
Defects
...................11-13
Vehicle Data Recording
and Privacy
.............11-15
Index................................... i-1
2008 Saturn Astra Owner ManualM
ProCarManuals.com

Rear Seats
Rear Seat Operation
{CAUTION
If the seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting
there. Always push and pull
on the seatback to be sure it
is locked.
{CAUTION
A safety belt that is improperly
routed, not properly attached,
or twisted will not provide the
protection needed in a crash.
The person wearing the belt
could be seriously injured.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
After raising the rear seatback,
always check to be sure that
the safety belts are properly
routed and attached, and are
not twisted.
Folding the Seatback
Notice:Folding a rear seat with
the safety belts still fastened may
cause damage to the seat or the
safety belts. Always unbuckle the
safety belts and return them to
their normal stowed position
before folding a rear seat.
Before folding the seatback down,
the safety belt must be unbuckled
and not in the storage clip. The
front seat must be moved all
the way forward, and not reclined.
The headrest must be completely
lowered.To lower the seatback:
1. Press the button located on the
top of the seatback to release it.
2. Fold the seatback forward.
Seats and Restraints 1-7
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Seat-mounted side impact and
roof-rail airbags are not intended to
inate in frontal impacts, near-frontal
impacts, rollovers, or rear impacts.
A seat-mounted side impact
airbag is intended to deploy on
the side of the vehicle that is struck.
A roof-rail airbag is intended to
deploy on the side of the vehicle
that is struck.
In any particular crash, no one
can say whether an airbag should
have inated simply because of
the damage to a vehicle or because
of what the repair costs were.
For frontal airbags, ination is
determined by what the vehicle hits,
the angle of the impact, and how
quickly the vehicle slows down.
For seat-mounted side impact and
roof-rail airbags, deployment is
determined by the location and
severity of the side impact.What Makes an Airbag
Inate?
In a deployment event, the sensing
system sends an electrical signal
triggering a release of gas from the
inator. Gas from the inator lls the
airbag causing the bag to break out
of the cover and deploy. The inator,
the airbag, and related hardware are
all part of the airbag module.
Frontal airbag modules are located
inside the steering wheel and
instrument panel. For vehicles with
seat-mounted side impact airbags,
there are airbag modules in the side
of the front seatbacks closest to the
door. For vehicles with roof-rail
airbags, there are airbag modules in
the ceiling of the vehicle, near the
side windows that have occupant
seating positions.
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or
near frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering
wheel or the instrument panel. In
moderate to severe side collisions,
even belted occupants can contact
the inside of the vehicle.
Airbags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Frontal
airbags distribute the force of the
impact more evenly over the
occupant’s upper body, stopping
the occupant more gradually.
Seat-mounted side impact and
roof-rail airbags distribute the force
of the impact more evenly over the
occupant’s upper body.
But airbags would not help in many
types of collisions, primarily because
the occupant’s motion is not toward
those airbags. SeeWhen Should
an Airbag Inflate? on page 1-27
for more information.
Airbags should never be regarded
as anything more than a supplement
to safety belts.
1-28 Seats and Restraints
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We recommend that you not use
seat covers or other aftermarket
equipment other than any that GM
has approved for your specic
vehicle. SeeAdding Equipment to
Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 1-35for more information about
modications that can affect how the
system operates.
The passenger sensing system may
suppress the airbag deployment
when liquid soaks into the seat.
If this happens, the off indicator
in the passenger airbag status
indicator and the airbag readiness
light on the instrument panel will
be lit. The system should resume
normal operation after the seat is
allowed to dry. If the system operates
incorrectly after the seat has dried,
have your dealer/retailer check the
system.{CAUTION
Stowing of articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with
the proper operation of the
passenger sensing system.
Servicing Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how your vehicle
should be serviced. There are
parts of the airbag system in
several places around your vehicle.
Your dealer/retailer and the service
manual have information about
servicing your vehicle and the airbag
system. To purchase a service
manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 11-14.
{CAUTION
For up to 10 seconds after the
ignition is turned off and the
battery is disconnected, an
airbag can still inate during
improper service. You can be
injured if you are close to an
airbag when it inates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are
probably part of the airbag
system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures,
and make sure the person
performing work for you is
qualied to do so.
1-34 Seats and Restraints
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Do not fold the empty rear seat
with a safety belt buckled. This
could damage the safety belt or
the seat. Unbuckle and return the
safety belt to its stowed position.
1. Attach and tighten the lower
attachments to the lower anchors.
If the child restraint does not have
lower attachments or the desired
seating position does not have
lower anchors, secure the child
restraint with the top tether and
the safety belts. Refer to your
child restraint manufacturer
instructions and the instructions
in this manual.
1.1. Find the lower anchors for
the desired seating position.
1.2. Put the child restraint on
the seat.
1.3. Attach and tighten the
lower attachments on the
child restraint to the lower
anchors.2. If the child restraint manufacturer
recommends that the top tether
be attached, attach and tighten
the top tether to the top tether
anchor, if equipped. Refer to the
child restraint instructions and
the following steps:
2.1. Find the top tether anchor.
2.2. If the anchor is covered,
open the cover to expose
the anchor.
2.3. Route, attach, and tighten
the top tether according
to your child restraint
instructions and the
following instructions:If the position you are using
has an adjustable headrest
or head restraint and you are
using a dual tether, route the
tether around the headrest or
head restraint.
Seats and Restraints 1-49
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The window switches are located on
each of the doors.
To lower a window, press the switch
down. To raise a window, pull the
switch up.
Express-Down Window
This feature is on all windows.
It allows you to lower the window
all the way without holding the
switch down.
Press the front of the switch to
the second position and release.
If you want to stop the window as
it is lowering, briey pull up the
switch.
Press and hold the unlock button on
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter to lower all of the
windows from outside the vehicle.
Window Lockout
o(Window Lockout):This button
is located on the driver’s door
armrest. Slide the switch forward to
turn the lockout feature on. The
rear windows can only be opened or
closed by the driver window
switches. The light on the button
indicates the feature is in use. Press
again to turn off.
Sun Visors
Pull the visor toward you, or move it
to the side to help reduce glare.
To use the lighted mirror, lift
the cover.
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-11
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Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Hold the mirror in the center to move
it for a clearer view of behind your
vehicle.
Headlamp Glare
To reduce headlamp glare from
vehicles following from behind, pull
the lever toward you. Push the
lever forward after the vehicle glare
is gone, to return the mirror back
to the original position.
Vehicles with OnStar
®have three
OnStar®control buttons located at
the bottom of the mirror. See your
dealer/retailer for more information
on the system and how to subscribe
to OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on
page 4-38.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly
on the mirror. Use a soft towel
dampened with glass cleaner.
Outside Mirror(s)
To maximize the viewing area,
adjust each mirror to see the side of
your vehicle and the area beside
and behind your vehicle.
Manually fold the mirrors at against
the side of the vehicle by pushing
them toward the vehicle’s doors.
Outside Power Mirror(s)
hi
(Power Mirrors):Press to
select the driver side or passenger
side mirror. Press the arrows to
move the selected mirror in
the desired direction.
2-12 Keys, Doors and Windows
ProCarManuals.com

Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
The turn signal has two upward and
downward positions to signal a turn
or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all
the way up or down, past the detent.
The lever returns to its starting
position when released.
An arrow on the instrument panel
cluster ashes in the direction of
the turn or lane change.To signal a lane change, raise or
lower the lever until the arrow starts
to ash, and then release the lever.
Do not move the lever past the
detent. The turn signal will
automatically ash three times
and turn off.
To cancel it before turning, move
the lever slightly in either direction.
Do not past the detent.
Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer
23
(Headlamp High/Low
Beam Changer):To change the
headlamps from low to high beam,
push the multifunction lever towards
the instrument panel. To return to
low-beam headlamps, push the lever
towards the instrument panel again
or pull the lever toward you. Then
release it.This indicator light on the instrument
panel cluster is on while the high
beam headlamps are on.
Flash-to-Pass
Pull the turn signal/multifunction
lever towards you to ash the high
beams from low beam.
4-8 Instruments and Controls
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Windshield Washer
{CAUTION
In freezing weather, do not use
your washer until the windshield
is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on
the windshield, blocking your
vision.
Pull the windshield wiper lever
toward you to spray washer uid
on the windshield. The wipers will
run for a few cycles to clear the
windshield. For more wash cycles,
pull the lever forward and hold.
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer
For vehicles with the rear wiper/
washer feature, it is turned on by
moving the windshield wiper lever.To turn the rear wiper on or off,
push the windshield wiper lever.
To turn on the rear washer, hold the
windshield wiper lever toward the
front of the vehicle to spray the rear
window.
The rear wiper turns on
automatically when the windshield
wiper is turned on and the shift lever
is in REVERSE (R).
The rear window washer uses the
same uid bottle as the windshield
washer. However, the rear window
washer will run out of uid before the
windshield washer. If washer uid
sprays onto the windshield but not
the rear window, check the uid
level. SeeWindshield Washer
Fluid on page 9-20.
For information on replacing the
rear wiper blades, seeWindshield
Wiper Blade Replacement on
page 9-21.
Accessory Power
Outlet(s)
The 12-volt accessory power outlets
can be used to connect electrical
equipment, such as a cellular phone.
There may be a accessory power
outlet located inside the console
below the climate controls.
Notice:Leaving electrical
equipment on for extended
periods will drain the battery.
Always turn off electrical
equipment when not in use and
do not plug in equipment that
exceeds the maximum 20 ampere
rating.
Certain electrical accessories may
not be compatible with the accessory
power outlet and could result in
blown vehicle or adapter fuses.
If there is a problem, see your
dealer/retailer for additional
information on the accessory
power outlet.
4-10 Instruments and Controls
ProCarManuals.com

If the light comes on while driving,
a chime will sound. Pull off the road
and stop. The pedal might be harder
to push or go closer to the oor.
It might also take longer to stop.
If the light is still on, have the vehicle
towed for service. SeeTowing Your
Vehicle on page 9-72.
{CAUTION
The brake system may not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to
an accident. If the light is still
on after the vehicle has been
pulled off the road and carefully
stopped, have the vehicle
towed for service.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
light will come on briey, as a check,
when you start your vehicle.
If it does not, have your vehicle
serviced so that the light works
properly when it needs to.
If the light stays on longer than a
few seconds after you start your
engine, or comes on and stays on
while you are driving, try resetting
the system. To reset the system:
1. If you are driving, pull over when
it is safe to do so. It may take
longer to stop the vehicle.
2. Place the vehicle in PARK (P).3. Turn off the ignition.
4. Then restart the engine.
If the light remains on after resetting
the system or comes on again while
driving, your vehicle needs service.
The antilock brakes are not working
properly and there might be a
problem stopping the vehicle. Pull
off the road and stop. It may take
longer to stop the vehicle. If the light
is still on, have the vehicle towed for
service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle
on page 9-72for more information.
{CAUTION
Your brake system may not be
working properly if the Antilock
Brake System (ABS) light is on.
Driving with the ABS light on
can lead to an accident. If the
light is still on after you have
pulled off the road and stopped
carefully, have the vehicle
towed for service.
4-18 Instruments and Controls
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