engine SATURN ASTRA 2009 User Guide

If the check engine light comes on
and stays on, while the engine
is running, this indicates that there
is an OBD II problem and service
is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by
the system before any problem
is apparent. Heeding the light can
prevent more serious damage to the
vehicle. This system is also
designed to assist the service
technician in correctly diagnosing
any malfunction.
Notice:If the vehicle is
continually driven with this light
on, after a while, the emission
controls might not work as well,
the vehicle’s fuel economy
might not be as good, and the
engine might not run as
smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.Notice:Modications made
to the engine, transmission,
exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
the vehicle or the replacement
of the original tires with other
than those of the same Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) can
affect the vehicle’s emission
controls and can cause this light
to come on. Modications to
these systems could lead to
costly repairs not covered by
the vehicle warranty. This could
also result in a failure to
pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.
SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 9-3.This light comes on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing:A misre condition
has been detected. A misre
increases vehicle emissions and
could damage the emission control
system on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
The following can prevent more
serious damage to the vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If the light continues to ash, when
it is safe to do so, stop the
vehicle. Find a safe place to park
the vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at
least 10 seconds, and restart the
engine. If the light is still ashing,
follow the previous steps and
see your dealer/retailer for service
as soon as possible.
Instruments and Controls 4-19
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Light On Steady:An emission
control system malfunction has been
detected on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
An emission system malfunction
might be corrected by doing the
following:
Make sure the fuel cap is fully
installed. SeeFilling the Tank
on page 8-36. The diagnostic
system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap allows fuel
to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn
the light off.
If the vehicle has been driven
through a deep puddle of water,
the vehicle’s electrical system
might be wet. The condition
is usually corrected when
the electrical system dries out.
A few driving trips should turn
the light off.
Make sure to fuel the vehicle
with quality fuel. Poor fuel
quality causes the engine not to
run as efficiently as designed
and may cause: stalling after
start-up, stalling when the vehicle
is changed into gear, misring,
hesitation on acceleration,
or stumbling on acceleration.
These conditions might go away
once the engine is warmed up.
If one or more of these conditions
occurs, change the fuel brand
used. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel
to turn the light off.
SeeGasoline Octane on
page 8-34.
If none of the above have made
the light turn off, have your
dealer/retailer check the vehicle.The dealer/retailer has the proper
test equipment and diagnostic
tools to x any mechanical or
electrical problems that might have
developed.
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 with the engine
running, or if the key is in the
ON/RUN and the light is not on.
4-20 Instruments and Controls
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The vehicle will not pass this
inspection if the OBD II
(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 been
replaced 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 II (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.
Someone could be burned.
Check the oil as soon as possible
and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can 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.The oil pressure light should come
on briey as the engine is started.
If it does not come on have the
vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer.
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.
Instruments and Controls 4-21
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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 9-7for further information.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can 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” underAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 8-6
for more information.
Fog Lamp Light
The fog lamp light comes on when
the fog lamps are in use.
The light goes out when the fog
lamps are turned off. SeeFog
Lamps on page 5-2for more
information.
4-22 Instruments and Controls
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Some messages cannot be cleared
from the DIC display because
they are more urgent. These
messages require action before they
can be cleared. You should take
any messages that appear on
the display seriously and remember
that clearing the messages will
only make the messages disappear,
not correct the problem.
Warning messages for the
uplevel DIC follow. On the base
level DIC, messages appear in an
abbreviated form.
Brakelight check---
This message displays when there
is a problem with the vehicle
lighting. The source of the problem
is displayed as text. For example,
“Brakelight check right”.
Brakelight switch check
This message displays when the
brake lamp does not come on when
the brake is applied. Have your
vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer immediately.
Coolant level check
This message displays when the
engine coolant level is low. Have the
cooling system serviced by your
dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 9-16.
Remote Control Battery check
This message displays if the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter battery is low. Replace
the battery in the transmitter.
See “Battery Replacement” under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2-4.
Safeguard check
This message displays when there
is a problem with the theft-deterrent
system. Have the system serviced
by your dealer/retailer immediately.
Washer Fluid Level
(Base Level) or Washing
Water Level (Uplevel)
This message displays when the
vehicle’s windshield washer uid is
low. When the washer uid level
is low, the rear window washer
system is deactivated. Fill the
windshield washer uid reservoir
to the proper level as soon as
possible. SeeWindshield Washer
Fluid on page 9-20.
Instruments and Controls 4-37
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Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can
make it easier for others to see
the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many
different driving conditions, but they
can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before
sunset. Fully functional daytime
running lamps are required on all
vehicles rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system makes the
low-beam headlamps turn on at a
reduced brightness when the
following conditions are met:
The engine is running.
The light sensor determines it is
night and the exterior lamps
control is in the off position.
The light sensor determines it is
daytime.
The taillamps and other lamps will
be off.The DRL turns off when the engine
is not running.
The regular headlamps or parking
lamps should be used when needed.
Delayed Headlamps
Vehicles with headlamp exit delay,
keep the headlamps and taillamps
on for 30 seconds.
To activate:
1. Turn the ignition off and remove
the key from the ignition.
2. Open the driver door.
3. Pull the multifunction lever
toward the steering wheel.
To deactivate, do either of the
following:
Insert the key into the ignition.
Pull the multifunction lever toward
the steering wheel again while
the driver door is open.
Fog Lamps
For vehicles with fog lamps, the
button is located on the instrument
panel, to the left of the steering
wheel.
The ignition and headlamps or
parking lamps must be on to use
the fog lamps. The fog lamps will not
turn on if the high beam headlamps
or ash to pass are active.
#:Press to turn the fog lamps on
or off. An indicator light on the
instrument panel cluster comes on
when the fog lamps are on.
Some localities have laws that
require the headlamps to be
on along with the fog lamps.
5-2 Lighting
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Infotainment
Audio System(s)
Audio System(s).................6-1
Radio(s).............................6-2
Theft-Deterrent Feature.....6-23
Audio Steering Wheel
Controls..........................6-23
Radio Reception...............6-24
Fixed Mast Antenna..........6-24
Audio System(s)
Determine which radio the vehicle
has and read the following pages to
become familiar with its features.
{CAUTION
Taking your eyes off the road for
extended periods could cause a
crash resulting in injury or death
to you or others. Do not give
extended attention to
entertainment tasks while driving.
This system provides access to
many audio and non audio listings.
To minimize taking your eyes off
the road while driving, do the
following while the vehicle is parked:
Become familiar with the
operation and controls of
the audio system.
Set up the tone, speaker
adjustments, and preset radio
stations.For more information, seeDefensive
Driving on page 8-16.
Notice:Contact your
dealer/retailer before adding any
equipment.
Adding audio or communication
equipment could interfere
with the operation of the vehicle’s
engine, radio, or other systems,
and could damage them.
Follow federal rules covering
mobile radio and telephone
equipment.
Infotainment 6-1
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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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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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