cooling SATURN ASTRA 2009 Owners Manual

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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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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Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on at or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
Keep the vehicle serviced
and in good shape.
Check all uid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
Going down steep or long hills,
shift to a lower gear.
{CAUTION
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would
then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
{CAUTION
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. The brakes will have
to do all the work of slowing down
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
and they could get so hot that
they would not work well. You
would then have poor braking or
even none going down a hill. You
could crash. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle in
gear when going downhill.
Stay in your own lane. Do not
swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in your
own lane.
8-26 Driving and Operating
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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
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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
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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

{CAUTION
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands,
clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant
reservoir is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a
level surface.
The coolant level should be at or
above the KALT/COLD mark on the
coolant reservoir. If it is not, you
may have a leak at the coolant
reservoir pressure cap or in the
radiator hoses, heater hoses,
radiator, water pump, or somewhere
else in the cooling system.
{CAUTION
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine re, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
xed before you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak,
with the engine on, check to see
if the electric engine cooling fans are
running. If the engine is overheating,
both fans should be running.
If they are not, your vehicle needs
service.Notice:Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.
Notice:Using coolant other
than DEX-COOL
®can cause
premature engine, heater core, or
radiator corrosion. In addition,
the engine coolant could require
changing sooner, at 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst.
Any repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use DEX-COOL
®
(silicate-free) coolant in the
vehicle.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-13
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How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Reservoir
Notice:This vehicle has a
specic coolant ll procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
If you have not found a problem yet,
check to see if coolant is visible
in the coolant reservoir. If coolant is
visible but the coolant level is not
at or above the KALT/COLD mark,
add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®
coolant at the coolant reservoir,
but be sure the cooling system,
including the coolant reservoir
pressure cap, is cool before you
do it. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 9-16for more information.If no coolant is visible in the coolant
reservoir, add coolant as follows:
{CAUTION
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you turn
the coolant reservoir pressure
cap — even a little — they can
come out at high speed. Never
turn the cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
reservoir pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
coolant reservoir pressure cap to
cool if you ever have to turn the
pressure cap.
{CAUTION
Adding only plain water to the
cooling system can be dangerous.
Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain water
or the wrong mixture, the engine
could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning.
The engine could catch re and
you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®
coolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core and other
parts. Use the recommended
coolant and the proper coolant
mixture.
9-14 Vehicle Service and Care
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{CAUTION
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
1. Remove the coolant reservoir
pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
reservoir pressure cap and upper
radiator hose, is no longer hot.
Turn the coolant reservoir
pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about two or
two and one-half turns.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that
to stop. This will allow any
pressure still left to be vented
out the discharge hose.2. Keep turning the coolant
reservoir pressure cap slowly,
and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant reservoir with
the proper mixture, to the
KALT/COLD mark. Wait about
ve minutes, then check to see
if the level is below the mark.
If the level is below the
KALT/COLD mark, add additional
coolant to bring the level up to
the mark. Repeat this procedure
until the level remains constant
at the KALT/COLD mark for
at least ve minutes.4. With the coolant reservoir
pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until you
can feel the upper radiator hose
getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fans.
By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant reservoir might
be lower. If the level is lower
than the KALT/COLD mark,
add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant reservoir
until the level reaches the
KALT/COLD mark.
5. Replace the coolant reservoir
pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and
fully seated. Coolant Reservoir Pressure Cap
Vehicle Service and Care 9-15
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