lights SATURN AURA 2007 User Guide

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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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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AV (Average) SPEED
Press the information button until AV SPEED
displays. This mode shows the vehicle’s average
speed in miles per hour (mph) or kilometers
per hour (km/h).
To reset the average vehicle speed, press and
hold the reset button while AV SPEED is
displayed.
OIL LIFE
Press the information button until OIL LIFE
displays. The engine oil life system shows an
estimate of the oil’s remaining useful life. It shows
100% when the system is reset after an oil
change. It alerts you to change the oil on a
schedule consistent with your driving conditions.
In addition to the engine oil life system monitoring
the oil life, additional maintenance is
recommended in the Maintenance Schedule in this
manual. SeeEngine Oil on page 265and
Scheduled Maintenance on page 356.
Always reset the engine oil life system after an oil
change. See “How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System” underEngine Oil Life System on
page 268.
COOLANT
Press the information button until COOLANT
displays. This mode shows the temperature of the
engine coolant in either degrees Fahrenheit (°F) or
degrees Celsius (°C).
DIC Warnings and Messages
These messages appear if there is a problem
detected in one of your vehicle’s systems.
A message clears when the vehicle’s condition is
no longer present. To acknowledge a message
and clear it from the display, press and hold any of
the DIC buttons. If the condition is still present,
the warning message comes back on the next time
the vehicle is turned off and back on. With most
messages, a warning chime sounds when
the message displays. Your vehicle may have
other warning messages.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS OFF
This message displays if the automatic headlamp
system is disabled with the headlamp switch.
SeeAutomatic Headlamp System on page 150for
more information.
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AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS ON
This message displays if the automatic headlamp
system is enabled with the headlamp switch.
SeeAutomatic Headlamp System on page 150for
more information.
BRAKE FLUID
This message displays, while the ignition is on,
when the brake uid level is low. The brake system
warning light on the instrument panel cluster
also comes on. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 168for more information. Have the
brake system serviced by your retailer as soon as
possible.
CHANGE OIL SOON
This message displays when the life of the engine
oil has expired and it should be changed.
When this message is acknowledged and cleared
from the display, the engine oil life system
must still be reset separately. SeeEngine Oil Life
System on page 268andScheduled Maintenance
on page 356for more information.
CHECK GAS CAP
This message displays if the fuel cap has not
been fully tightened. Recheck the fuel cap to make
sure that it is on properly. A few driving trips
with the cap properly installed should turn
the message off.
CHECK TIRE PRESS (Pressure)
This message displays when the tire pressure in
one or more of the tires needs to be checked. If a
tire pressure message appears on the DIC, stop as
soon as you can. Have the tire pressures checked
and set to those shown on the Tire Loading
Information label. SeeTires on page 298,Loading
Your Vehicle on page 242, andInation - Tire
Pressure on page 304. If the tire pressure is low,
the low tire pressure warning light comes on. See
Low Tire Pressure Warning Light on page 170.
CRUISE ENGAGED
This message displays when the cruise control
system is active. SeeCruise Control on page 145
for more information.
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UNLK (Unlock)
This screen displays only if DRIVER or ALL is
selected for the AUTO UNLK feature. This feature
determines when the automatic door unlocking
will occur. When UNLK appears on the display,
press and hold the reset button for at least
one second to scroll through the available settings:
KEY OFF:The door(s) will unlock when the key
is turned off.
SHIFT TO P (Park) (default):The door(s) will
unlock when the vehicle is shifted into PARK (P).
SeeProgrammable Automatic Door Locks on
page 95for more information.
Choose one of the available settings and press
the information button to select it and move on to
the next feature.
EXT (Exterior) LIGHTS
If your vehicle has Remote Keyless Entry (RKE),
this feature, which allows the vehicle’s exterior
perimeter lighting to turn on each time the unlock
button on the RKE transmitter is pressed, can
be enabled or disabled. When EXT LIGHTS
appears on the display, press and hold the reset
button for at least one second to scroll through the
available settings:
OFF:The exterior perimeter lighting will not turn
on when the unlock button on the RKE
transmitter is pressed.
ON (default):The exterior perimeter lighting will
turn on when the unlock button on the RKE
transmitter is pressed.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 90for more information.
Choose one of the available settings and press
the information button to select it and move on to
the next feature.
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When the system is turned off, the TRACTION
OFF message will rst appear followed by the ESC
OFF message. The ESC OFF and TCS OFF
indicator lights will also appear to warn the driver
that both traction control and ESC are disabled.
It is recommended to leave the system on
for normal driving conditions, but it may be
necessary to turn the system off if your vehicle is
stuck in sand, mud, ice or snow, and you want
to “rock” your vehicle to attempt to free it. It may
also be necessary to turn off the system when
driving in extreme off-road conditions where high
wheel spin is required. SeeIf Your Vehicle is
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 241.
ESC may also turn off automatically if it determines
that a problem exists with the system. The ESC
OFF and SERVICE ESC messages and the
ESC OFF light will be on solid to warn the driver
that ESC is disabled and requires service. If
the problem does not clear itself after restarting
the vehicle, you should see your retailer for
service. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 182.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can
affect your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories
and Modications on page 253.Traction Control Operation
The traction control system is part of the ESC
system. Traction control limits wheel spin by
reducing engine power to the wheels (engine
speed management) and by applying brakes to
each individual wheel (brake-traction control)
as necessary.
The traction control system is enabled
automatically when you start your vehicle, and it
will activate and display the LOW TRACTION
message if it senses that any of the wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction while driving.
If you turn off traction control, the TCS OFF
warning light will come on and the TRACTION
OFF message will be displayed The ESC system
will remain operational unless it is turned off.
For more information on the traction active
message, seeDriver Information Center (DIC) on
page 179.
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Notice:If you allow the wheel(s) of one axle to
spin excessively while the ESC, ABS and brake
warning lights and the SERVICE ESC message
are displayed, you could damage the transfer
case. The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Reduce engine power and do not spin
the wheel(s) excessively while these lights and
this message are displayed.
The traction control system may activate on dry or
rough roads or under conditions such as heavy
acceleration while turning or abrupt
upshifts/downshifts of the transmission. When this
happens, you may notice a reduction in
acceleration, or may hear a noise or vibration.
This is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the system
activates, the ESC ACTIVE message will appear
and the cruise control will automatically disengage.
When road conditions allow you to use cruise
again, you may re-engage the cruise control. See
Cruise Control on page 145.
ESC may also turn off automatically if it determines
that a problem exists with the system. If the
problem does not clear itself after restarting the
vehicle, you should see your retailer for service.Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can
affect your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories
and Modications on page 253for more
information.
Steering
If the engine stalls while you are driving, the
power steering assist system will continue
to operate until you are able to stop your vehicle.
If you lose power steering assist because the
electric power steering system is not functioning,
you can steer, but it will take more effort.
If you turn the steering wheel in either direction
several times until it stops, or hold the steering
wheel in the stopped position for an extended
amount of time, you may notice a reduced amount
of power steering assist. The normal amount of
power steering assist should return shortly after a
few normal steering movements.
The electric power steering system does not
require regular maintenance. If you suspect
steering system problems, contact your
dealer/retailer for service repairs. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 182.
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You can be temporarily blinded by approaching
headlamps. It can take a second or two, or
even several seconds, for your eyes to re-adjust
to the dark. When you are faced with severe glare,
as from a driver who does not lower the high
beams, or a vehicle with misaimed headlamps,
slow down a little. Avoid staring directly into
the approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all the glass on your
vehicle clean — inside and out. Glare at night is
made much worse by dirt on the glass. Even
the inside of the glass can build up a lm caused
by dust. Dirty glass makes lights dazzle and
ash more than clean glass would, making the
pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that the headlamps light up far less of a
roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep your
eyes moving; that way, it is easier to pick out dimly
lighted objects. Just as the headlamps should be
checked regularly for proper aim, so should your
eyes be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer
from night blindness — the inability to see in dim
light — and are not even aware of it.Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a
wet road, you cannot stop, accelerate, or turn as
well because your tire-to-road traction is not as
good as on dry roads. And, if your tires do not have
much tread left, you will get even less traction. It is
always wise to go slower and be cautious if rain
starts to fall while you are driving. The surface may
get wet suddenly when your reexes are tuned for
driving on dry pavement.
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Automatic Transaxle Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transaxle uid
level. A transaxle uid leak is the only reason for
uid loss. If a leak occurs, take your vehicle to
the retailer service department and have it repaired
as soon as possible.
Change the uid at the intervals listed inAdditional
Required Services on page 359, and be sure to
use the transaxle uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 365.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic
transaxle uid may damage your vehicle, and
the damages may not be covered by your
warranty. Always use the automatic transaxle
uid listed inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 365.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for ve years or
150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs
rst, if you add only DEX-COOL
®extended
life coolant.The following explains your cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If you have
a problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 275.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F
(−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing sooner, at
the rst maintenance service after each
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your
vehicle.
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