tires SATURN AURA 2007 User Guide

Driving Through Deep Standing Water
Notice:If you drive too quickly through
deep puddles or standing water, water can
come in through the engine’s air intake
and badly damage the engine. Never drive
through water that is slightly lower than the
underbody of your vehicle. If you cannot avoid
deep puddles or standing water, drive
through them very slowly.
Driving Through Flowing Water
{CAUTION:
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. If you try to drive through owing
water, as you might at a low water
crossing, your vehicle can be carried away.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
As little as six inches of owing water can
carry away a smaller vehicle. If this
happens, you and other vehicle occupants
could drown. Do not ignore police
warning signs, and otherwise be very
cautious about trying to drive through
owing water.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, allow some extra
following distance. And be especially careful
when you pass another vehicle. Allow yourself
more clear room ahead, and be prepared to
have your view restricted by road spray.
Have good tires with proper tread depth. See
Tires on page 298.
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Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir
full? Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you
checked all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses
clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough
for long-distance driving? Are the tires
all inated to the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather
outlook along your route? Should you
delay your trip a short time to avoid a major
storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as highway
hypnosis? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the
wheel? Call it highway hypnosis, lack of
awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road
with the same scenery, along with the hum of
the tires on the road, the drone of the engine, and
the rush of the wind against the vehicle that
can make you sleepy. Do not let it happen to you!
If it does, your vehicle can leave the road in
less than a second, and you could crash and be
injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First,
be aware that it can happen.
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If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you are
planning to visit there, here are some tips that
can make your trips safer and more enjoyable.
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check
all uid levels and also the brakes, tires,
cooling system, and transaxle. These parts
can work hard on mountain roads.
{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 NEUTRAL (N) or with
the ignition off is dangerous. The brakes
will have to do all the work of slowing
down. 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 your vehicle in gear
when you go downhill.
Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of
the slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when
you go down a steep or long hill.
Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane
roads in hills or mountains. Do not swing wide
or cut across the center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in your own lane.
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As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There
could be something in your lane, like a stalled
car or an accident.
You may see highway signs on mountains that
warn of special problems. Examples are long
grades, passing or no-passing zones, a falling
rocks area, or winding roads. Be alert to these
and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
You might want to put winter emergency
supplies in your trunk.
Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a
supply of windshield washer uid, a rag, some
winter outer clothing, a small shovel, a ashlight, a
red cloth, and a couple of reective warning
triangles. And, if you will be driving under severe
conditions, include a small bag of sand, a
piece of old carpet, or a couple of burlap bags to
help provide traction. Be sure you properly
secure these items in your vehicle.
Also seeTires on page 298.
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Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where the tires
meet the road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between the tires
and the road, you can have a very slippery
situation. You have a lot less traction, or grip, and
need to be very careful.What is the worst time for this? Wet ice. Very cold
snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on.
But wet ice can be even more trouble because it
can offer the least traction of all. You can get
wet ice when it is about freezing, 32°F (0°C), and
freezing rain begins to fall. Try to avoid driving
on wet ice until salt and sand crews can get there.
Whatever the condition — smooth ice, packed,
blowing, or loose snow — drive with caution.
If you have the Traction Control System (TCS), it
will improve your ability to accelerate when
driving on a slippery road. But you can turn the
TCS off if you ever need to. You should turn
the TCS off if your vehicle ever gets stuck in sand,
mud, ice, or snow. SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 241. Even if
you have TCS, slow down and adjust your
driving to the road conditions. Under certain
conditions, you might want to turn the TCS off,
such as when driving through deep snow
and loose gravel, to help maintain vehicle motion
at lower speeds. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 217andElectronic Stability Control
on page 219.
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You will need a well-charged battery to restart the
vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with
the headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window
almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start
the engine again and repeat this only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as
little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as
you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of
the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you
will need to spin the wheels, but you do not
want to spin your wheels too fast. The method
known as rocking can help you get out when you
are stuck, but you must use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you or
others could be injured. And, the
transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment re or other damage. When
you are stuck, spin the wheels as little as
possible. Do not spin the wheels above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the
speedometer.
Notice:Spinning the wheels can destroy parts
of your vehicle as well as the tires. If you
spin the wheels too fast while shifting
the transaxle back and forth, you can destroy
the transaxle. SeeRocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out on page 242.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 319.
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Tire and Loading Information Label
A vehicle specic Tire and Loading Information
label is attached to the vehicle’s center pillar
(B-pillar). With the driver’s door open, you will nd
the label attached below the door lock post
(striker). The Tire and Loading Information label
lists the number of occupant seating positions (A),
and the maximum vehicle capacity weight (B) in
kilograms and pounds.The Tire and Loading Information label also lists the
tire size of the original equipment tires (C) and the
recommended cold tire ination pressures (D). For
more information on tires and ination, seeTires on
page 298andInation - Tire Pressure on page 304.
There is also important loading information on the
Certication label. It tells you the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) for the front and rear axle, see
“Certication Label” later in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your
vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver
and passengers that will be riding in your
vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
Label Example
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Service........................................................ 253
Accessories and Modications................... 253
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 254
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 254
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle................................................... 255
Fuel............................................................. 255
Gasoline Octane........................................ 255
Gasoline Specications.............................. 255
California Fuel........................................... 256
Additives................................................... 256
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 258
Filling the Tank......................................... 258
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 261
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 262
Hood Release........................................... 263
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 264
Engine Oil................................................. 265
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 268
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 270
Automatic Transaxle Fluid......................... 272
Engine Coolant.......................................... 272
Pressure Cap............................................ 275
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 275Engine Overheating................................... 275
Cooling System......................................... 278
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 282
Brakes...................................................... 284
Battery...................................................... 287
Jump Starting............................................ 289
Bulb Replacement....................................... 294
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 294
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps.............. 294
License Plate Lamp................................... 296
Replacement Bulbs................................... 296
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 297
Tires............................................................ 298
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 299
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 301
Ination - Tire Pressure............................. 304
Tire Pressure Monitor System................... 305
Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 310
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 311
Buying New Tires...................................... 312
Different Size Tires and Wheels................ 314
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..................... 315
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance............ 316
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
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Wheel Replacement.................................. 316
Tire Chains............................................... 319
If a Tire Goes Flat.................................... 319
Tire Inator Kit.......................................... 320
Appearance Care........................................ 332
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 332
Fabric/Carpet............................................. 333
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces................................................ 334
Care of Safety Belts.................................. 335
Weatherstrips............................................ 335
Washing Your Vehicle............................... 335
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses................ 336
Finish Care............................................... 336
Windshield and Wiper Blades.................... 337
Aluminum Wheels...................................... 337
Tires......................................................... 338
Sheet Metal Damage................................. 338Finish Damage.......................................... 339
Underbody Maintenance............................ 339
Chemical Paint Spotting............................ 339
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials............ 340
Vehicle Identication.................................. 341
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)........... 341
Service Parts Identication Label............... 341
Electrical System........................................ 342
Add-On Electrical Equipment..................... 342
Windshield Wiper Fuses............................ 342
Power Windows and Other Power
Options.................................................. 342
Fuses........................................................ 343
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..................... 343
Engine Compartment Fuse Block............... 346
Rear Compartment Fuse Block.................. 348
Capacities and Specications.................... 351
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
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Brake Wear
Your vehicle has disc brakes. Disc brake pads
have built-in 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
your vehicle is moving, except when you are
pushing on 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 you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your
vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates can cause a
brake squeal when the brakes are rst applied
or lightly applied. This does not mean something
is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and evenly tighten
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to torque
specications inCapacities and Specications on
page 351.
Brake linings should always be replaced as
complete axle sets.Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake pedal does
not return to normal height, or if there is a
rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service might be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without
the vehicle moving, the brakes adjust for wear.
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