SATURN AURA 2007 Owners Manual

Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages
on your vehicle.
Warning lights and gages can signal that
something is wrong before it becomes serious
enough to cause an expensive repair or
replacement. Paying attention to the warning lights
and gages could also save you or others from
injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As
the details show on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briey when you start the
engine just to let you know they are working. If
you are familiar with this section, you should
not be alarmed when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often
gages and warning lights work together to let
you know when there is a problem with your
vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and
stays on as you are driving, or when one of
the gages shows there may be a problem, check
the section that tells you what to do about it.
Please follow this manual’s advice. Waiting to do
repairs can be costly and even dangerous. So
please get to know your vehicle’s warning
lights and gages. They can be a big help.
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Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You
will know how fast you are going, how much fuel you are using, and many other things you will need
to drive safely and economically.
Your vehicle has this instrument panel cluster, which includes indicator warning lights and gages that are
explained on the following pages.
United States version shown, Canada Similar
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Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in
miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (km/h).
SeeDIC Vehicle Personalization on page 187
for more information.
Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has
been driven, in either miles (used in the United
States) or kilometers (used in Canada).
Your vehicle has a tamper resistant odometer.
The digital odometer will read 999,999 if someone
tries to turn it back.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle
needs a new odometer installed. If the new
one can be set to the mileage total of the old
odometer, then it must be. But if it can’t, then it is
set at zero and a label must be put on the
driver’s door to show the old mileage reading
when the new odometer was installed.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer can tell you how far you have
driven since you last reset it.
The trip odometer is accessed and reset through
the Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC
Operation and Displays on page 180for more
information.
Tachometer
Your tachometer displays the engine speed in
revolutions per minute (rpm).
Your vehicle has auto stop and the indicator for
this is on the tachometer. For more information see
Auto Stop Mode on page 178.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON or START, a chime
will come on for several seconds to remind
people to fasten their safety belts, unless the
driver’s safety belt is already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay
on for several
seconds, then it will
ash for several more.
This chime and light is repeated if the driver
remains unbuckled and the vehicle is in motion.
If the driver’s belt is already buckled, neither
the chime nor the light will come on.
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Passenger Safety Belt Reminder
Light
Several seconds after the key is turned to ON or
START, a chime will sound for several seconds to
remind the front passenger to buckle their safety
belt. This would only occur if the passenger airbag
is enabled. SeePassenger Sensing System on
page 77for more information. The passenger
safety belt light will also come on and stay on for
several seconds, then it will ash for several more.
This chime and light are
repeated if the
passenger remains
unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion.
If the passenger’s safety belt is buckled, neither
the chime nor the light will come on.
Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the
instrument panel cluster, which shows the airbag
symbol. The system checks the airbag’s
electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells
you if there is an electrical problem. The
system check includes the airbag sensor, the
pretensioners, the airbag modules, the wiring and
the crash sensing and diagnostic module. For
more information on the airbag system, seeAirbag
System on page 67.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash
for a few seconds.
Then the light should go
out. This means the
system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start the vehicle or comes on when you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.
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{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after
you start your vehicle, it means the airbag
system may not be working properly. The
airbags in your vehicle may not inate in
a crash, or they could even inate without
a crash. To help avoid injury to yourself
or others, have your vehicle serviced right
away if the airbag readiness light stays on
after you start your vehicle.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to ON.
If the light does not come on then, have it xed so
it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
Your vehicle has the passenger sensing system.
Your instrument panel has a passenger airbag
status indicator.
When the ignition key is turned to ON or START,
the passenger airbag status indicator will light
ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and off,
for several seconds as a system check. Then,
after several more seconds, the status indicator
will light either ON or OFF, or either the on
or off symbol to let you know the status of the
right front passenger’s frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag.
United StatesCanada
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If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on the
passenger airbag status indicator, it means that
the right front passenger’s frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag are enabled
(may inate).
{CAUTION:
If the on indicator comes on when you have
a rear-facing child restraint installed in the
right front passenger’s seat, it means that
the passenger sensing system has not
turned off the passenger’s frontal airbag
and seat-mounted side impact airbag. A
child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front
passenger’s airbag inates. This is
because the back of the rear-facing child
restraint would be very close to the
inating airbag. Do not use a rear-facing
child restraint in the right front passenger’s
seat if the airbag is turned on.Your vehicle has a rear seat that will accommodate
a rear-facing child restraint. A label on your sun
visor says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat
in the front.” This is because the risk to the
rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys.
{CAUTION:
Even though the passenger sensing
system is designed to turn off the
passenger’s frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag if the
system detects a rear-facing child
restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no
one can guarantee that an airbag will not
deploy under some unusual circumstance,
even though it is turned off. We
recommend that rear-facing child
restraints be secured in the rear seat,
even if the airbag is off.
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If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the
airbag status indicator, it means that the
passenger sensing system has turned off the right
front passenger’s frontal airbag and seat-mounted
side impact airbag. SeePassenger Sensing
System on page 77for more on this, including
important safety information.
If, after several seconds, all status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there
may be a problem with the lights or the passenger
sensing system. See your retailer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the off indicator and the airbag
readiness light ever come on together, it
means that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. If this ever happens,
have the vehicle serviced promptly,
because an adult-size person sitting in the
right front passenger seat may not have
the protection of the airbags. SeeAirbag
Readiness Light on page 164.
Charging System Light
The charging system
light will come on for a
few seconds when
you turn on the ignition
as a check to indicate
it is working.
If the light stays on, or comes on while you are
driving and you hear a chime, there could be
a problem with the electrical charging system. This
could indicate that there is a loose generator
drive belt or another electrical problem. Have it
checked right away. Driving while this light
is on could drain the battery and result in the
engine and headlights suddenly shutting off.
If you must drive a short distance with this light
on, turn off accessories, such as the radio,
air conditioner and heater fan.
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Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop you. For good
braking, though, you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
This light should come on briey when you turn
the ignition key to ON. If it does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if
there is a problem.When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your
parking brake. The light will stay on if your parking
brake does not release fully. If it stays on after
your parking brake is fully released, it means you
have a brake problem.
The Driver Information Center (DIC) may display a
BRAKE FLUID message. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 182for more information.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull
off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that
the pedal is harder to push or the pedal may go
closer to the oor. It may take longer to stop.
Try turning off and restarting the vehicle one or two
times, if the light is still on, have the vehicle
towed for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 247.
United StatesCanada
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{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning 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.
Antilock Brake System Warning
Light
Your vehicle may have
the Antilock Brake
System (ABS).
This light will come on when your engine is started
and may stay on for several seconds. This is
normal.If the light stays on, turn the ignition to off. If the
light comes on and the chime sounds when
you are driving, stop as soon as possible and turn
the ignition off. Then start the engine again to
reset the system. If the light still stays on,
or comes on again while you are driving, your
vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, you still have brakes,
but you do not have antilock brakes. If the regular
brake system warning light is also on, you do
not have antilock brakes and there is a problem
with your regular brakes. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 168earlier in this section.
The ABS warning light will come on briey
when you turn the ignition key to ON. This is
normal. If the light does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a
problem.
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Low Tire Pressure Warning Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn
the ignition to RUN.
This light will also come on when one or more of
your tires are signicantly underinated.
A CHECK TIRE PRESS DIC message will
accompany the light, seeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 182for more information.
Stop and check your tires as soon as it is safe to do
so. If underinated, inate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 298for more information.
This light will ash for 60 seconds and then turn
on solid if a problem is detected with the Tire
Pressure Monitor system. SeeTire Pressure
Monitor System on page 305for more information.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
If your vehicle has the
Traction Control System
(TCS), this light may
come on for the
following reasons:
If you turn the system off by pressing the TC
(traction control) button located on the center
console, the light will come on and stay on. To
turn the system back on, press the button again
and the warning light should go out.
If there is a brake system problem that is
specically related to traction control, the TCS
will turn off and the warning light will come on.
If the traction control system warning light comes
on and stays on for an extended period of
time when the system is turned on, your vehicle
needs service.
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