brake fluid 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
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

Vehicle Service
and Care
Service
Service...............................9-2
Accessories and
Modications.....................9-3
California Proposition 65
Warning............................9-3
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements.....9-3
Doing Your Own
Service Work....................9-4
Adding Equipment to the
Outside of the Vehicle......9-4
Owner Checks
Owner Checks....................9-4
Hood Release.....................9-5
Engine Compartment
Overview...........................9-6
Engine Oil..........................9-7
Engine Oil Life System.......9-9
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. . .9-11
Automatic Transmission
Fluid................................9-12
Manual Transmission
Fluid................................9-12
Hydraulic Clutch................9-12
Cooling System.................9-12
Engine Coolant.................9-16
Pressure Cap....................9-18
Engine Overheating...........9-18
Power Steering Fluid.........9-20
Windshield Washer
Fluid................................9-20
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement...................9-21
Brakes..............................9-22
Battery..............................9-25
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming..............9-26
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement.............9-28
Halogen Bulbs..................9-28
Front Turn Signal
Lamps.............................9-28
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL).........9-29
Taillamps (Five-Door
Hatchback)......................9-30
Taillamps (Three-Door
Hatchback)......................9-32
License Plate Lamp..........9-33
Replacement Bulbs...........9-34
Electrical System
Add-On Electrical
Equipment.......................9-34
Headlamp Wiring..............9-34
Fuses...............................9-35
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block......................9-35
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block...............................9-37
Tires
Tires.................................9-40
Winter Tires......................9-41
Tire Sidewall Labeling.......9-42
Tire Terminology and
Denitions.......................9-44
Ination - Tire Pressure. . . .9-47
High-Speed Operation.......9-48
Tire Pressure Monitor
System............................9-49
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation........................9-51
Tire Inspection and
Rotation..........................9-52
Vehicle Service and Care 9-1
ProCarManuals.com

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 9-11.
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap.Engine Oil
on page 9-7.
C. Brake Fluid Reservoir.Brakes
on page 9-22.
D. Coolant Reservoir.Cooling
System on page 9-12.
E. Coolant Reservoir Pressure Cap.
Pressure Cap on page 9-18.
F.Engine Compartment Fuse Block
on page 9-35.
G.Battery on page 9-25.
H.Windshield Washer Fluid on
page 9-20.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick.Engine Oil
on page 9-7.Engine Oil
If the low oil level light appears on
the instrument cluster, check the
engine oil level right away. SeeLow
Oil Level Light on page 4-22.
Check the engine oil level regularly;
this is just a reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the
engine oil level at each fuel ll.
In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the
vehicle must be on level ground.The engine oil dipstick handle
is a yellow loop. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 9-6
for the location of the engine oil
dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the
oil several minutes to drain back
into the oil pan. If this is not
done, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. Pull the dipstick and clean it with
a paper towel or cloth, then push
it back in all the way. Remove
it again, keeping the tip down and
check the level.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-7
ProCarManuals.com

Automatic Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check
the transmission uid level.
A transmission uid leak is the
only reason for uid loss. If a leak
occurs, take your vehicle to the
dealer/retailer service department
and have it repaired as soon
as possible.
Change the uid and lter at the
intervals listed in the Maintenance
Schedule. See “Additional
Required Services” in Service and
Maintenance. Be sure to use
the transmission uid listed in
“Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in Service and
Maintenance.
Notice:Use of the incorrect
automatic transmission uid
may damage your vehicle, and
the damages may not be
covered by your warranty.See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Limited
Warranty, Maintenance and Owner
Assistance Information manual.
Manual Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
manual transmission uid level.
A transmission uid leak is the
only reason for uid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to the
dealer/retailer service department
and have it repaired as soon
as possible. You may also have
your uid level checked by your
dealer/retailer when you have
your oil changed. See “Part D:
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in Service and
Maintenance for the proper uid
to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in
your vehicle is self-adjusting.
This system does not have its own
reservoir. It receives uid from
the brake master cylinder reservoir.
SeeBrakes on page 9-22for
more information.
Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the
hood, this is what you see:
A.
Coolant Reservoir
B.Coolant Reservoir Pressure Cap
C.Engine Cooling Fans (Out of view)
9-12 Vehicle Service and Care
ProCarManuals.com

Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder and, on
manual transmission vehicles,
the clutch hydraulic system use the
same reservoir. The reservoir is
lled with DOT-4 brake uid.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6for the location of
the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake uid level in the reservoir
might go down:
The brake uid level goes down
because of normal brake lining
wear. When new linings are
installed, the uid level goes
back up.
A uid leak in the brake and/or
clutch hydraulic system can also
cause a low uid level. Have the
brake and/or clutch hydraulic
system xed, since a leak means
that sooner or later the brakes
and/or clutch will not work well.
Do not top off the brake/clutch uid.
Adding uid does not correct a leak.
If uid is added when the brake
linings are worn, there will be too
much uid when new brake linings
are installed. Add or remove uid, as
necessary, only when work is done
on the brake/clutch hydraulic system.
{CAUTION
If too much brake uid is added,
it can spill on the engine and
burn, if the engine is hot enough.
You or others could be burned,
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
and the vehicle could be
damaged. Add brake uid only
when work is done on the brake
and/or clutch hydraulic system.
Refer toScheduled Maintenance on
page 11-3to determine when to
check the brake uid.
Checking Brake Fluid
The brake uid can be checked
without taking off the cap by looking
at the brake uid reservoir.
The uid level should be above
MIN. If it is not, have your brake
hydraulic system checked to see if
there is a leak. After work is
done on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the level is above the
MIN but not over the MAX mark.
9-22 Vehicle Service and Care
ProCarManuals.com

What to Add
Use only new DOT-4 brake uid
from a sealed container. It is
recommended that the brake
hydraulic system be ushed and
relled with new DOT-4 uid
at a regular maintenance service
every two years. SeeAdditional
Required Services on page 11-6
andRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-12.
Always clean the brake uid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it.
This helps keep dirt from entering
the reservoir.
{CAUTION
With the wrong kind of uid in
the brake hydraulic system,
the brakes might not work well.
This could cause a crash.
Always use the proper brake uid.Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly
damage brake hydraulic system
parts. For example, just a few
drops of mineral-based oil,
such as engine oil, in the brake
hydraulic system can damage
brake hydraulic system parts so
badly that they will have to be
replaced. Do not let someone
put in the wrong kind of uid.
If brake uid is spilled on the
vehicle’s painted surfaces, the
paint nish can be damaged.
Be careful not to spill brake
uid on the vehicle. If you do,
wash it off immediately. See
Exterior Cleaning on page 9-76.
Brake Wear
This vehicle has disc brakes.
Notice:Continuing to drive
with worn-out brake pads could
result in costly brake repair.
Front disc brake pads have built-in
brake pad wear indicators that
make a high-pitched warning sound
when the brake pads are worn
and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be
heard all the time the vehicle is
moving, except when applying the
brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
an accident. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-23
ProCarManuals.com

(j)Drain, flush, and refill cooling
system. This service can be
complex; you should have your
dealer/retailer perform this service.
See Engine Coolant on page 9-16
for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap, and filler neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
(k)Inspect belt for fraying, excessive
cracks, or obvious damage. Replace
belt if necessary.
(l)Drain, flush, and refill brake/clutch
hydraulic system at a regular service
interval (IorII) every two years.
This service can be complex; you
should have your dealer/retailer
perform this service. See Brakes
on page 9-22.
(m)This service can be complex;
you should have your dealer/retailer
perform this service.Owner Checks and
Services
These owner checks and services
should be performed at the intervals
specied to help ensure vehicle
safety, dependability, and
emission control performance.
Your dealer/retailer can assist with
these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once. Whenever any
uids or lubricants are added to
the vehicle, make sure they are
the proper ones, as shown in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-12.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these
underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Notice:It is important to check
the engine oil regularly and
keep it at the proper level.
Failure to keep the engine oil
at the proper level can cause
damage to the engine not covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Check the engine oil level and
add the proper oil if necessary.
SeeEngine Oil on page 9-7.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level
and add DEX-COOL®coolant
mixture if necessary. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 9-16.
Windshield Washer Fluid
Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid
level in the windshield washer
uid reservoir and add the proper
uid if necessary.
Service and Maintenance 11-9
ProCarManuals.com

Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part number, or specication can be obtained from your
dealer/retailer.
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil Engine oil which meets GM Standard GM6094M and displays the
American Petroleum Institute Certied for Gasoline Engines starburst
symbol. To determine the proper viscosity for your vehicle’s engine,
see
Engine Oil on page 9-7 .
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL
®Coolant.
See Engine Coolant on page 9-16 .
Hydraulic Brake/Clutch System Hydraulic Brake Fluid. Use only GM Part No. U.S. 88958860,
in Canada 88901244, Super DOT-4 brake uid.
Windshield Washer Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Power Steering System GM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part No. U.S. 88901975,
in Canada 88901976).
Automatic Transmission Use only T-IV Automatic Transmission Fluid (GM Part No. U.S. 88900925,
in Canada 22689186).
11-12 Service and Maintenance
ProCarManuals.com

A
Accessories and
Modications...................... 9-3
Accessory Power Outlets......4-10
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle....1-36
Additives, Fuel.....................8-34
Add-On Electrical
Equipment.......................9-34
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.......9-11
Air Conditioning..................... 7-1
Airbag
Passenger Status
Indicator.......................4-15
Readiness Light................4-14
System, Replacing Parts
After a Crash................1-37
Airbag System.....................1-24
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle........................1-36
Check.............................1-37
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?.....................1-28
Passenger Sensing
System........................1-30Airbag System (cont.)
Servicing Your
Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle........................1-35
What Makes an Airbag
Inate?........................1-28
What Will You See After
an Airbag Inates?........1-29
When Should an Airbag
Inate?........................1-27
Where Are the Airbags?.....1-26
Antenna, Fixed Mast............6-24
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)..................8-18
Antilock Brake, System
Warning Light...................4-17
Appearance Care
Chemical Paint Spotting.....9-80
Exterior Cleaning..............9-76
Finish Damage.................9-79
Interior Cleaning...............9-73
Sheet Metal Damage........9-79
Underbody Maintenance....
9-80
Appointments, Scheduling
Service...........................12-8Audio System........................ 6-1
Audio Steering Wheel
Controls.......................6-23
Fixed Mast Antenna..........6-24
Radio Reception...............6-24
Theft-Deterrent Feature......6-23
Audio System(s).................... 6-2
Automatic Transmission
Fluid...............................9-12
Operation.......................... 8-6
B
Battery...............................9-25
Run-Down Protection.......... 5-4
Brake Fluid.........................9-22
Brakes...............................9-22
System Warning Light.......4-16
Braking...............................8-17
Break-In, New Vehicle............ 8-2
Bulb Replacement
Daytime Running Lamp....... 5-2
Bulb Replacement
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL)........9-29
Fog Lamp ......................... 5-2
Front Turn Signal Lamps . . . 9-28
INDEX i-1
ProCarManuals.com