SATURN ASTRA 2009 Owners Manual

If your vehicle has a basecoat/
clearcoat paint nish, the clearcoat
gives more depth and gloss to
the colored basecoat. Always use
waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a
basecoat/clearcoat paint nish.
Notice:Machine compounding
or aggressive polishing on a
basecoat/clearcoat paint nish
may damage it. Use only
non-abrasive waxes and
polishes that are made for a
basecoat/clearcoat paint nish
on the vehicle.
Foreign materials such as calcium
chloride and other salts, ice
melting agents, road oil and tar,
tree sap, bird droppings, chemicals
from industrial chimneys, etc.,
can damage your vehicle’s nish if
they remain on painted surfaces.
Wash the vehicle as soon as
possible. If necessary, use
non-abrasive cleaners that are
marked safe for painted surfaces to
remove foreign matter.Exterior painted surfaces are
subject to aging, weather and
chemical fallout that can take
their toll over a period of years.
You can help to keep the paint nish
looking new by keeping your
vehicle garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Protecting Exterior Bright
Metal Parts
Bright metal parts should be
cleaned regularly to keep their
luster. Wash with water or
use chrome polish on chrome or
stainless steel trim, if necessary.
Use special care with aluminum trim.
To avoid damaging protective trim,
never use auto or chrome polish,
steam or caustic soap to clean
aluminum. A coating of wax, rubbed
to high polish, is recommended for
all bright metal parts.Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your
vehicle’s nish is to keep it clean by
washing it often.
Do not wash the vehicle in direct
sunlight. Use a car washing soap.
Notice:Certain cleaners contain
chemicals that can damage the
emblems or nameplates on the
vehicle. Check the cleaning
product label. If it states that it
should not be used on plastic
parts, do not use it on the vehicle
or damage may occur and it would
not be covered by the warranty.
Do not use cleaning agents that are
petroleum based or that contain
acid or abrasives, as they can
damage the paint, metal or plastic
on your vehicle. Approved cleaning
products can be obtained from
your dealer/retailer. Follow all
manufacturers’ directions regarding
correct product usage, necessary
safety precautions and appropriate
disposal of any vehicle care product.
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Rinse the vehicle well, before
washing and after to remove all
cleaning agents completely. If they
are allowed to dry on the surface,
they could stain.
Dry the nish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and
water spotting.
High pressure car washes may
cause water to enter the vehicle.
Avoid using high pressure washes
closer than 12 inches (30 cm) to
the surface of the vehicle. Use of
power washers exceeding 1,200 psi
(8 274 kPa) can result in damage
or removal of paint and decals.
Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips
will make them last longer, seal
better, and not stick or squeak.
Apply silicone grease with a clean
cloth. During very cold, damp
weather frequent application
may be required.See “Fluids and Lubricants” in the
Index of the “Maintenance and
Warranty and Owner assistance
Information” manual.
Wheels and Trim — Aluminum
or Chrome
Your vehicle may have either
aluminum or chrome-plated wheels.
Keep the wheels clean using a
soft clean cloth with mild soap and
water. Rinse with clean water.
After rinsing thoroughly, dry with a
soft clean towel. A wax may then
be applied.
Notice:Chrome wheels and
other chrome trim may be
damaged if the vehicle is not
washed after driving on roads
that have been sprayed with
magnesium, calcium or sodium
chloride. These chlorides are
used on roads for conditions
such as ice and dust. Always
wash the vehicle’s chrome with
soap and water after exposure.Notice:Using strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes,
cleaners, brushes, or cleaners
that contain acid on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels, could
damage the surface of the
wheel(s). The repairs would not
be covered by the warranty.
Use only approved cleaners on
aluminum or chrome-plated
wheels.
The surface of these wheels is
similar to the painted surface of your
vehicle. Do not use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes,
abrasive cleaners, cleaners with
acid, or abrasive cleaning brushes
on them because you could damage
the surface. Do not use chrome
polish on aluminum wheels.
Notice:Using chrome polish on
aluminum wheels could damage
the wheels. The repairs would not
be covered by the warranty.
Use chrome polish on chrome
wheels only.
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Use chrome polish only on
chrome-plated wheels, but avoid
any painted surface of the wheel,
and buff off immediately after
application.
Notice:Driving the vehicle
through an automatic car wash
that has silicone carbide tire
cleaning brushes, could damage
the aluminum or chrome-plated
wheels. The repairs would not be
covered by the warranty. Never
drive a vehicle equipped with
aluminum or chrome-plated
wheels through an automatic car
wash that uses silicone carbide
tire cleaning brushes.
Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield
with glass cleaner.
Clean the rubber blades using a lint
free cloth or paper towel soaked with
windshield washer uid or a mild
detergent. Wash the windshield
thoroughly when cleaning the blades.Bugs, road grime, sap, and a buildup
of vehicle wash/wax treatments may
cause wiper streaking. Replace the
wiper blades if they are worn or
damaged.
Wipers can be damaged by:
Extreme dusty conditions
Sand and salt
Heat and sun
Snow and ice, without proper
removal
Tires
To clean the tires, use a stiff brush
with tire cleaner.
Notice:Using petroleum-based
tire dressing products on the
vehicle may damage the paint
nish and/or tires. When applying
a tire dressing, always wipe off
any overspray from all painted
surfaces on the vehicle.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and
requires sheet metal repair or
replacement, make sure the body
repair shop applies anti-corrosion
material to parts repaired or replaced
to restore corrosion protection.
Original manufacturer replacement
parts will provide the corrosion
protection while maintaining
the vehicle warranty.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep
scratches in the nish should be
repaired right away. Bare metal will
corrode quickly and may develop into
major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be
repaired with touch-up materials
available from your dealer/retailer.
Larger areas of nish damage can be
corrected in your dealer’s/retailer’s
body and paint shop.
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Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and
snow removal and dust control can
collect on the underbody. If these
are not removed, corrosion and rust
can develop on the underbody
parts such as fuel lines, frame,
oor pan, and exhaust system
even though they have corrosion
protection.
At least every spring, ush these
materials from the underbody
with plain water. Clean any areas
where mud and debris can collect.
Dirt packed in close areas of
the frame should be loosened before
being ushed. Your dealer/retailer
or an underbody car washing
system can do this.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric
conditions can create a chemical
fallout. Airborne pollutants can
fall upon and attack painted surfaces
on the vehicle. This damage can
take two forms: blotchy, ring-shaped
discolorations, and small, irregular
dark spots etched into the paint
surface.
Although no defect in the paint job
causes this, we will repair, at no
charge to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this
fallout condition within 12 months or
12,000 miles (20 000 km) of
purchase, whichever occurs rst.
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Technical Data
Vehicle Identication
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)..................10-1
Service Parts
Identication Label...........10-1
Capacities and
Specications
Capacities and
Specications..................10-2
Vehicle Identication
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)
This is the legal identier for the
vehicle. It appears on a plate in
the front corner of the instrument
panel, on the driver side. It can
be seen through the windshield from
outside the vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certication
and Service Parts labels and the
certicates of title and registration.
Engine Identication
The eighth character in the VIN is
the engine code. This code helps
identify the vehicle’s engine,
specications, and replacement
parts. See “Engine Specications”
underCapacities and Specifications
on page 10-2for the vehicle’s
engine code.
Service Parts
Identication Label
This label is on the trunk oor. It is
very helpful if parts need to be
ordered. The label has the following
information:
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)
Model designation
Paint information
Production options and special
equipment
Do not remove this label from the
vehicle.
Technical Data 10-1
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Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. See “Fluids and Lubricants” in
the index of the “Limited Warranty, Maintenance and Owner Assistance Information” manual.
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant For the air conditioning system refrigerant charge
amount, see the refrigerant caution label located
under the hood. See your dealer/retailer for more
information.
Cooling System Automatic Transmission 6.2 qt 5.9 L
Manual Transmission 7.3 qt 6.9 L
Engine Oil with Filter 4.8 qt 4.5 L
Fuel Tank 11.9 gal 45.0 L
10-2 Technical Data
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ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Transmission Fluid Automatic Transmission 4.2 qt 4.0 L
Manual Transmission 1.6 qt 1.5 L
Wheel Bolt Torque 81 lb ft 110 Y
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to ll to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual.
Engine Specications
Engine VIN CodeTransmission Spark Plug Gap
1.8L L4 1Automatic
Manual 0.035 in (0.90 mm)
Technical Data 10-3
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✍NOTES
10-4 Technical Data
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Service and
Maintenance
Service and Maintenance
Introduction.......................11-1
Maintenance
Requirements..................11-1
Your Vehicle and the
Environment....................11-2
Using the Maintenance
Schedule.........................11-2
Scheduled Maintenance. . . .11-3
Additional Required
Services..........................11-6
Maintenance Footnotes.....11-8
Owner Checks and
Services..........................11-9
At Each Fuel Fill...............11-9
At Least Once a Month. . .11-10
At Least Once a Year.....11-10
Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants...............11-12
Maintenance
Replacement Parts........11-14
Engine Drive Belt
Routing..........................11-15
Maintenance Record........11-16
Service and
Maintenance
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at
the proper level and change as
recommended.
Maintenance
Requirements
Notice:Maintenance intervals,
checks, inspections, replacement
parts, and recommended uids
and lubricants as prescribed
in this manual are necessary to
keep this vehicle in good working
condition. Any damage caused
by failure to follow scheduled
maintenance might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
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Your Vehicle and the
Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only
helps to keep the vehicle in good
working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended
maintenance is important. Improper
vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality of the air we
breathe. Improper uid levels or the
wrong tire ination can increase
the level of emissions from the
vehicle. To help protect the
environment, and to keep the
vehicle in good condition, be sure
to maintain the vehicle properly.
Using the Maintenance
Schedule
We want to help keep this vehicle in
good working condition. But we
do not know exactly how you
will drive it. You might drive very
short distances only a few times a
week. Or you might drive long
distances all the time in very hot,
dusty weather. You might use
the vehicle in making deliveries.
Or you might drive it to work, to do
errands, or in many other ways.
Because of all the different
ways people use their vehicles,
maintenance needs vary. You might
need more frequent checks and
replacements. So please read the
following and note how you drive.
If you have any questions on
how to keep the vehicle in good
condition, see your dealer/retailer.This schedule is for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo
within recommended limits on the
Tire and Loading Information
label. SeeLoading the Vehicle
on page 8-30.
are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving
limits.
use the recommended fuel.
SeeGasoline Octane on
page 8-34.
The services inScheduled
Maintenance on page 11-3should
be performed when indicated.
SeeAdditional Required Services
on page 11-6andMaintenance
Footnotes on page 11-8for further
information.
11-2 Service and Maintenance
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