check oil SATURN AURA 2007 Owners Manual

Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods
of time, by returning the key to the START
position immediately after cranking has ended,
can overheat and damage the cranking
motor, and drain the battery. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below 0°F
or−18°C), it could be ooded with too much
gasoline. Try pushing the accelerator
pedal all the way to the oor and holding it
there as you hold the key in START for up to
a maximum of 15 seconds. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow the
cranking motor to cool down. When the enginestarts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the
vehicle starts briey but then stops again,
do the same thing. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. Do not race the
engine immediately after starting it. Operate
the engine and transaxle gently until the
oil warms up and lubricates all moving parts.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with
the electronics in your vehicle. If you add
electrical parts or accessories, you could
change the way the engine operates. Before
adding electrical equipment, check with
your retailer. If you do not, your engine might
not perform properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranty.
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Oil Pressure Light
If your vehicle has low
engine oil pressure, this
light will stay on after
you start your engine, or
come on and you will
hear a chime when you
are driving.
This indicates that your engine is not receiving
enough oil. The engine could be low on oil,
or could have some other oil problem. Have it
xed immediately.
This light will come on briey when you turn on
the ignition as a check to show you it is working. If
it does not come on with the ignition on, you
may have a problem with the bulb. Have it xed
right away.{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is
low. If you do, your engine can become so
hot that it catches re. You or others
could be burned. Check your oil as soon
as possible and have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
may damage the engine. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
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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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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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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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Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside
the United States or Canada, the proper fuel might
be hard to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or
any other fuel not recommended in the previous
text on fuel. Costly repairs caused by use of
improper fuel would not be covered by your
warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business
in the country where you will be driving.
Filling the Tank
{CAUTION:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel re
can cause bad injuries. To help avoid
injuries to you and others, read and follow
all the instructions on the pump island.
Turn off your engine when you are
refueling. Do not smoke if you are near
fuel or refueling your vehicle. Do not use
cellular phones. Keep sparks, ames, and
smoking materials away from fuel. Do not
leave the fuel pump unattended when
refueling your vehicle. This is against the
law in some places. Do not re-enter the
vehicle while pumping fuel. Keep children
away from the fuel pump; never let
children pump fuel.
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Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine
parts and start a re. These include
liquids like fuel, oil, coolant, brake uid,
windshield washer and other uids, and
plastic or rubber. You or others could be
burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.
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A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 270.
B. Cooling Fans. SeeCooling System on
page 278.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 265.
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 265.
E. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 272.
F. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See″Brake
Fluid″underBrakes on page 284.
G. Battery. SeeBattery on page 287
H. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 346.
I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 282.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time
you get fuel. 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 264
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 you
do not do this, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. Pull out 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.
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If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both provide
easier cold starting and better protection for
the engine at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended
oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM
Standard GM6094M are all you need for good
performance and engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you
know when to change the engine oil and lter.
This is based on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving
conditions, the mileage at which an oil change
will be indicated can vary considerably. For the oil
life system to work properly, you must reset the
system every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE OIL SOON message will
come on. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 182. Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible
that, if you are driving under the best conditions, the
oil life system might not indicate that an oil change
is necessary for over a year. However, the engine
oil and lter must be changed at least once a year
and at this time the system must be reset. Your
dealer/retailer has trained service people who will
perform this work using genuine parts and reset the
system. It is also important to check the oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change the oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since
your last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
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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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