brake SATURN ASTRA 2009 Owners Manual

Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel
Controls or OnStar®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
iv Preface
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Instruments and
Controls
Instrument Panel
Overview
Instrument Panel
Overview...........................4-2
Hazard Warning Flashers. . .4-4
Horn...................................4-4
Tilt Wheel...........................4-4
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever................................4-4
Cruise Control....................4-5
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals.............................4-8
Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer..........4-8
Flash-to-Pass......................4-8
Windshield Wipers..............4-8
Windshield Washer.............4-9
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer.............................4-9
Accessory Power
Outlet(s)..........................4-10
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators.................4-11
Instrument Panel Cluster. . .4-12
Speedometer and
Odometer........................4-13
Trip Odometer(s)...............4-13Tachometer.......................4-13
Safety Belt Reminders......4-13
Airbag Readiness Light.....4-14
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator..........................4-15
Charging System Light......4-16
Brake System Warning
Light................................4-16
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light.......4-17
StabiliTrak®Indicator
Light................................4-17
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
................................4-18
Tire Pressure Light...........4-18
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp................4-18
Oil Pressure Light.............4-21
Low Oil Level Light...........4-22
Winter Driving Mode
Light................................4-22
Fog Lamp Light................4-22
Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder........................4-23
Cruise Control Light..........4-23
Highbeam On Light...........4-23
Door Ajar Light.................4-23
Service Vehicle Soon
Light................................4-23
Fuel Gage........................4-24
Low Fuel Warning Light. . . .4-24
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
Driver Information
Center (DIC)...................4-25
DIC Operation and
Displays (Uplevel DIC
and Audio)
.......................4-26
DIC Operation and
Displays (Base Level
DIC and Audio)
...............4-32
DIC Warnings and
Messages (Base and
Uplevel Systems)
............4-36
OnStar®System
OnStar®System................4-38
Instruments and Controls 4-1
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Setting Cruise Control
For safety reasons the cruise control
cannot be turned on until the brake
has been applied once.
With automatic transmission, only
use cruise control in D (Drive).
Press the On/Off button to turn on
the cruise control. A message briey
appears on the instrument panel
cluster at the odometer display when
the cruise control has been turned on.
{CAUTION
If you leave your cruise control on
when you are not using cruise,
you might hit a button and go into
cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even
lose control. Keep the cruise
control switch off until you want to
use cruise control.1. Press
Jand the current speed
is stored and maintained.
2. Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal. The
Jindicator light on
the instrument panel cluster turns
on after the cruise control has
been set to the desired speed.
The cruise control automatically
disengages under the following
conditions:
The vehicle speed drops below
25 mph (40 km/h).
The brake is applied.
The clutch pedal is applied
(for manual transmission
vehicles).
The automatic transmission is
in N (Neutral).
The On/Off button is pressed.
CC On Message
CC Off Message
4-6 Instruments and Controls
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Resuming a Set Speed
Once the vehicle speed reaches
about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more and
the cruise control is on, press
W.
The vehicle returns to the previous
speed selected before the cruise
was disengaged.
The stored speed is deleted if the
ignition is turned off.
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control

Press and holdJuntil the
desired speed is reached,
then release it.
To increase vehicle speed in
small increments, briey
press
Jrepeatedly. Each time
this is done, the vehicle speed
increase by about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) without using the
accelerator pedal.
When the
Jbutton is released
the current speed is stored
and maintained.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control

Press and holdWuntil the
desired lower speed is reached,
then release it.
To reduce vehicle speed in small
increments, briey press
W
repeatedly. Each time this is
done, the vehicle speed
decreases by about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h).
When the
Wbutton is released
the current speed is stored
and maintained.
Passing Another Vehicle
While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle speed.
When the accelerator pedal is
released, the vehicle will return to
the previously set cruise speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will
work on hills depends upon
the vehicle speed, load, and the
steepness of the hills. While going
up steep hills, you might have
to step on the accelerator pedal to
maintain the vehicle’s speed.
While going downhill, you might
have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep the vehicle’s speed down.
Of course, applying the brake
turns off the cruise control.
Ending Cruise Control
There are several ways to end
cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake or
clutch pedal.
The automatic transmission is
placed in N (Neutral).
Press the9button.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory
is erased when the cruise control or
the ignition is turned off.
Instruments and Controls 4-7
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Charging System Light
The charging system light comes on
briey when the ignition is turned
on, but the engine is not running,
as a check to show the light is
working. It should go out when the
engine is started.
If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, there could be a
problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked by your
dealer/retailer. Driving while this light
is on could drain the battery.
If a short distance must be driven
with the light on, be sure to turn off
all accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Brake System Warning
Light
The brake indicator light should
come on briey as the engine
is started. If it does not come on
have the vehicle serviced by
your dealer/retailer.
When the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light comes on
when the parking brake is set.
The light stays on if the parking
brake does not fully release.
If it stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, there is a brake
problem. Have the brake system
inspected immediately.
{CAUTION
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after
the vehicle has been pulled off
the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for
service.
If the light comes on while driving, a
chime sounds. 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 9-73.
United StatesCanada
4-16 Instruments and Controls
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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 P (Park).
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 9-73for 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.
StabiliTrak®Indicator
Light
For vehicles with this light, it should
come on briey when the ignition is
turned on.
If the light does not come on, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving there may be a
problem with the StabiliTrak
system and your vehicle may
need service. When this light is on,
the StabiliTrak system does not
assist in controlling the vehicle.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 8-19for more information.
When the system is active, the light
will ash while the system helps
control the vehicle. You may also
feel or hear the system working.
This is normal.
Instruments and Controls 4-17
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Reset
The following trip computer
information can be reset:
Average consumption
Trip consumption
Average speed
Distance travelled
To reset the value:
1. Select the desired trip computer
information.
2. Press the OK button on the
audio system, or press the
left thumbwheel, if your vehicle
has this feature, on the steering
wheel:
To reset the current value,
press and hold briey.
To reset all values, press for
six seconds.
DIC Warnings and
Messages (Base and
Uplevel Systems)
Messages are displayed on the DIC
to notify the driver that the status
of the vehicle has changed and that
some action may be needed by
the driver to correct the condition.
Multiple messages may appear one
after another.
The DIC monitors some uid levels,
battery of the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter, the
theft-deterrent system on vehicles
with this feature, the brake light
switch, and important exterior lights,
including wiring and fuses.Some messages may not require
immediate action, but you can
acknowledge that you received the
messages and to clear them
from the display by doing one of the
following:
Press the OK button on the base
level audio system.
Press the multifunction knob, if
your vehicle has this feature,
on the uplevel audio system.
Press the left thumbwheel, if your
vehicle has this feature, on the
steering wheel.
If there are several warning
messages, acknowledge them
one at a time.
4-36 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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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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