SATURN ASTRA 2009 Owners Manual

Theft-Deterrent Feature
The audio system is equipped
with an electronic safety system to
prevent theft, and only works in
the vehicle.
Audio Steering Wheel
Controls
Some audio controls can be
adjusted at the steering wheel.Several functions of the audio
system can be operated with the
audio remote control buttons and the
rotary control located on both
sides of the steering wheel.
Depending on the vehicle’s features,
see the following audio controls:
Z(Rotary Control):Manually seek
a station by turning to move the
cursor either to the previous or next
screen entry. Press to conrm
the selection.
For the DIC (Driver Information
Center), press the rotary control to
call up the DIC menu. Press to
reset the current value. Press and
hold for two seconds to reset
all of the values.
Y:Press to go to the next preset
station if playing the radio.
Press to go to the beginning of a
currently playing CD or to the
next album on an MP3.
X:Press to toggle between the
radio and CD or MP3 as an
active source for playback.
^/_:Press the arrows to go back
or advance to the previous or
next preset station if playing the
radio. Press and hold to scroll
through the preset stations.
Press to go back or advance one
track at a time on a CD.
Press to quickly reverse or advance
through the tracks within a CD.
3(volume):Turn the rotary
control to adjust the volume. Press
and hold to adjust the volume
continuously.
Infotainment 6-23
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Radio Reception
Frequency interference and static
can occur during normal radio
reception if items such as cell phone
chargers, vehicle convenience
accessories, and external electronic
devices are plugged into the
accessory power outlet. If there is
interference or static, unplug the item
from the accessory power outlet.
AM
The range for most AM stations is
greater than for FM, especially
at night. The longer range can cause
station frequencies to interfere
with each other. For better radio
reception, most AM radio stations
boost the power levels during
the day, and then reduce these
levels during the night. Static
can also occur when things like
storms and power lines interfere
with radio reception. When this
happens, try reducing the treble on
your radio.
FM Stereo
FM stereo gives the best sound, but
FM signals reach only about 10 to
40 miles (16 to 65 km). Tall buildings
or hills can interfere with FM signals,
causing the sound to fade in and out.
Cellular Phone Usage
Cellular phone usage may cause
interference with the vehicle’s radio.
This interference may occur when
making or receiving phone calls,
charging the phone’s battery,
or simply having the phone on. This
interference causes an increased
level of static while listening to
the radio. If static is received while
listening to the radio, unplug the
cellular phone and turn it off.
Fixed Mast Antenna
The xed mast antenna can
withstand most car washes without
being damaged, or it can be
removed. If the mast should ever
become slightly bent, straighten
it out by hand. If the mast is badly
bent, replace it.
Check occasionally to make sure
the mast is still tightened to the
antenna base located on the roof of
the vehicle.
6-24 Infotainment
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Climate Controls
Climate Controls
Climate Control System......7-1
Outlet Adjustment...............7-4
Climate Controls
Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle can be controlled with
this system.
A. Air Conditioning
B. Recirculation
C. Rear Window Defogger D. Air Delivery Mode Control
E. Temperature Control
F. Fan Control
Climate Controls 7-1
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Air Delivery Mode Control:
Turn the knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to adjust the
airow direction inside the vehicle.
To change the current air delivery
mode, select one of the following:
)(Bi-Level):Air is directed to
the instrument panel and oor
outlets. Cooler air is directed to the
upper outlets and warmer air to
the oor outlets.
Y(Vent):Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
X(Defog):Air is directed to the
windshield and front door windows.
To reduce fogging, press
#to
turn on the air conditioner. The fan
must also be on.
W(Defog/Floor):Air is directed to
the windshield, front door windows,
and oor outlets. To reduce
fogging, press
#to turn on the air
conditioner. The fan must also
be on.
[(Floor):Air is directed to the
oor outlets.
Temperature Control:Turn the
knob clockwise or counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the
temperature inside the vehicle.
Fan Control:Turn the knob
clockwise or counterclockwise to
increase or decrease the fan speed.
The speed settings can be adjusted
between 1 (Low) and 4 (High).
Turn the knob to
Ato turn the fan
off. When the fan is off, the air
conditioning compressor is also off.
There will be some airow from the
outlets when driving, even with the
fan in the off position.
Air Conditioning
For vehicles with air conditioning.
#(Air Conditioning):Press
to turn the air conditioning system
on or off. An indicator light comes on
when the air conditioning is on.
The air conditioning can only
be operated if the engine is on and
the fan is running.
When the air conditioning is on the
air is cooled and dehumidied. If
cooling or dehumidication is
not desired, turn off the air
conditioning to save fuel.
On hot days, open the windows
briey to let the hot inside air
escape, then close them. This helps
to reduce the time it takes for the
vehicle to cool down.
7-2 Climate Controls
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For quicker cool down, do the
following:
1. Press
#to turn on the air
conditioning.
2. Select
Ymode.
3. Set the temperature knob to the
coldest temperature.
4. Set the fan knob to 4.
5. Open all vents.
Recirculation
^(Recirculation):Press to
turn the recirculation mode on or off.
An indicator light inside the button
comes on when the recirculation
mode is active. This mode
recirculates air inside the passenger
compartment and prevents outside
air from entering the vehicle.
The quality of the passenger
compartment air may decrease
since the amount of outside
air entering the vehicle is reduced.When the recirculation mode is
used without air conditioning, the air
humidity increases, and the
windows may fog. Avoid using the
recirculation mode during high
periods of humidity or cool outside
temperatures since this may
result in increased window fogging.
If window fogging is experienced,
select the defrost mode.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a
warming grid to remove fog from the
rear window.
The rear window defogger will only
work when the ignition is in
ON/RUN.
=(Rear Window Defogger):
Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light
inside the button will be lit when
in use.If the vehicle has heated mirrors,
they turn on when the rear window
defogger button is pressed.
Press the button again to turn them
off. For more information, see
Outside Power Mirror(s) on
page 2-12.
The rear window defogger will stay
on for approximately 15 minutes
after the button is pressed, unless
the ignition is turned off.
Notice:Do not use anything
sharp on the inside of the rear
window. If you do, you could cut
or damage the warming grid, and
the repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
attach a temporary vehicle
license, tape, a decal or anything
similar to the defogger grid.
Climate Controls 7-3
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Outlet Adjustment
Use the thumbwheel below the air
outlets to change the direction of the
air ow. Use the vertical thumbwheel
next to the outlets to control the
amount of air ow or to shut off the
airow completely.
Keep all outlets open whenever
possible for best system
performance.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow, or
leaves from the air inlets at
the base of the windshield that
can block the ow of air into
the vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood
deectors can adversely affect
the performance of the system.
Keep the path under all seats
clear of objects to help circulate
the air inside the vehicle
more effectively.
If fogging reoccurs while in vent
or bi-level modes with mild
temperature throughout the
vehicle, turn on the air
conditioner to reduce windshield
fogging.
7-4 Climate Controls
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Driving and
Operating
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In.........8-2
Ignition Positions................8-2
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP).....................8-3
Starting the Engine.............8-3
Engine Heater....................8-5
Automatic Transmission
Operation..........................8-6
Manual Transmission
Operation..........................8-9
Parking Brake...................8-10
Shifting Into Park..............8-11
Shifting Out of Park..........8-12
Parking the Vehicle...........8-13
Parking Over Things
That Burn........................8-13
Engine Exhaust.................8-14
Running the Vehicle
While Parked..................8-14
Driving Your Vehicle
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy.........................8-15
Defensive Driving..............8-16
Drunk Driving....................8-16
Control of a Vehicle..........8-17
Braking.............................8-17
Antilock Brake
System (ABS).................8-18
StabiliTrak®System..........8-19
Steering............................8-20
Off-Road Recovery............8-21
Passing.............................8-22
Loss of Control.................8-22
Driving at Night.................8-23
Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads......................8-24
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip........................8-25
Highway Hypnosis.............8-25
Hill and Mountain
Roads.............................8-26
Winter Driving...................8-27
If Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow
..........................8-29
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out.......................8-29
Loading the Vehicle..........8-30
Fuel
Fuel..................................8-34
Gasoline Octane...............8-34
Gasoline Specications.....8-34
California Fuel..................8-34
Additives...........................8-34
Fuels in Foreign
Countries........................8-35
Filling the Tank.................8-36
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container........................8-37
Driving and Operating 8-1
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Starting and
Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:The vehicle does
not need an elaborate break-in.
But it will perform better in
the long run if you follow these
guidelines:
Do not drive at any one
constant speed, fast or slow,
for the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not make full-throttle
starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake or slow the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for
the rst 200 miles (322 km)
or so. During this time the new
brake linings are not yet
broken in. Hard stops with new
linings can mean premature
wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get
new brake linings.Following break-in, engine speed
and load can be gradually
increased.
Ignition Positions
Use the key to turn the ignition
switch to four different positions.
Notice:Using a tool to force the
key to turn in the ignition could
cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct key,
make sure it is all the way in, and
turn it only with your hand. If the
key cannot be turned by hand, see
your dealer/retailer.To shift out of P (Park), the ignition
must be in the ON/RUN position
and the regular brake pedal must be
applied.
A (LOCK/OFF):This is the only
position from which you can remove
the key. This locks the steering
wheel, ignition and automatic
transmission.
On vehicles with an automatic
transmission, the shift lever must be
in P (Park) to turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK/OFF position.
The ignition switch can bind in the
LOCK/OFF position with your wheels
turned off center. If this happens,
move the steering wheel from right
to left while turning the key to
STEERING UNLOCK/IGNITION
OFF. If this doesn’t work, then the
vehicle needs service.
B (STEERING UNLOCKED/
IGNITION OFF):This position
unlocks the steering wheel.
8-2 Driving and Operating
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C (ON/RUN):The ignition switch
stays in this position when the
engine is running. This position can
be used to operate the electrical
accessories, as well as to display
some warning and indicator lights.
The battery could be drained if you
leave the key in the ON/RUN position
with the engine off. You may not be
able to start the vehicle if the battery
is allowed to drain for an extended
period of time.
D (START):This position starts the
engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition switch
will return to ON/RUN for normal
driving. A warning tone will
sound when the driver door is
opened and the key is in the ignition.Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
The power windows and mirrors
may be used for up to ve minutes
after the key is turned to
LOCK/OFF.
The power windows and mirrors will
not operate after any of the front
doors are opened.
The radio may be used for up to
sixty minutes after the key is turned
to LOCK/OFF.
Starting the Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start
in any other position. To restart the
engine when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to
P (Park) if the vehicle is moving.
If you do, you could damage
the transmission. Shift to P (Park)
only when the vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in
N (Neutral) and the parking brake
engaged. Hold the clutch pedal
to the oor and start the engine. The
vehicle will not start if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down.
Driving and Operating 8-3
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Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to
START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed
will go down as the engine gets
warm. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently to allow the
oil to warm up and lubricate all
moving parts.
The vehicle has a
Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects
components. If the ignition key is
turned to the START position,
and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the
engine will continue cranking for a
few seconds or until the vehicle
starts. If the engine does not start
and the key is held in START for
many seconds, cranking will be
stopped after 15 seconds to
prevent cranking motor damage.To prevent gear damage, this
system also prevents cranking if
the engine is already running.
Engine cranking can be stopped
by turning the ignition switch to
STEERING UNLOCKED/
IGNITION OFF or LOCK/OFF.
Notice:Cranking the engine for
long periods of time, by returning
the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has
ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start
after 5-10 seconds, especially
in very cold weather (below 0°F
or−18°C), it could be ooded with
too much gasoline. Try pushing
the accelerator pedal all the way
to the oor and holding it there as
you hold the key in START for up
to a maximum of 15 seconds.Wait at least 15 seconds between
each try, to let the cranking motor
cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and
accelerator. If the vehicle starts
briey but then stops again, do
the same thing. This clears the
extra gasoline from the engine.
Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Notice:The engine is designed to
work with the electronics in the
vehicle. If you add electrical parts
or accessories, you could change
the way the engine operates.
Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your
dealer/retailer. If you do not, the
engine might not perform
properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
8-4 Driving and Operating
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