engine overheat 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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To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical
cord. The engine coolant heater cord is
located near the air cleaner box on the
passenger side of the engine compartment.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 264for more information on location.
3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt
AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded
outlet could cause an electrical shock.
Also, the wrong kind of extension cord
could overheat and cause a re. You
could be seriously injured. Plug the cord
into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will not
reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug
and store the cord as it was before to keep it
away from moving engine parts. If you do
not, it could be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater
plugged in? The answer depends on the outside
temperature, the kind of oil you have, and
some other things. Instead of trying to list
everything here, we ask that you contact your
retailer in the area where you will be parking your
vehicle. The dealer/retailer can give you the
best advice for that particular area.
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Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle
with the engine running. Your vehicle
could move suddenly if the shift lever is
not fully in PARK (P) with the parking
brake rmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch re. You or
others could be injured. Do not leave your
vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P)
and the parking brake is rmly set before leaving
it. After moving the shift lever into PARK (P),
hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if
you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without rst pushing the shift lever button.
If you can, it means that the shift lever was not
fully locked in PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift the
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of
the vehicle can put too much force on the parking
pawl in the transaxle. It could be difficult to pull
the shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called
“torque lock.” To prevent torque lock, set
the parking brake and then shift into PARK (P)
properly before you leave the driver’s seat. To nd
out how, seeShifting Into PARK (P) on page 120.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift
lever out of PARK (P)beforeyou release the
parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you might need to have
another vehicle push your vehicle a little uphill
to take some of the pressure from the parking pawl
in the transaxle, this should let you pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P).
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Electronic Stability Control Indicator
Light
Your vehicle may have
the Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) system.
You may feel or hear the system working, this is
normal. SeeElectronic Stability Control on
page 219for more information.
When the ESC indicator light is on and either the
SERVICE ESC or ESC OFF Driver Information
Center (DIC) message is displayed, the system will
not assist the driver to maintain directional
control of the vehicle. Adjust your driving
accordingly. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 182for more information.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
This light indicates that
the engine coolant has
overheated or the
radiator cooling fan is
not working.
This light will come on briey when you turn on
the ignition as a check to show you it is working.
If the light comes on and the vehicle has been
operating under normal driving conditions, pull off
the road, stop the vehicle, and turn off the
engine as soon as possible.
SeeCooling System on page 278for more
information.
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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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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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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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What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water
and one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will
not damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant
mixture, you do not need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your 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:If you use an improper coolant
mixture, your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost would not be
covered by your warranty. Too much water
in the mixture can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a
year, have your dealer/retailer check your
cooling system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or
additives in your vehicle’s cooling system, you
could damage your vehicle. Use only the
proper mixture of the engine coolant listed in
this manual for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 365for more information.
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Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture at the surge tank,
but only when the engine is cool. If the surge tank
is empty, a special ll procedure is necessary.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 275andCooling
System on page 278.
{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.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is
hand-tight and fully seated.
Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and possible engine
damage may occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 264
for more information on location.
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and possible engine
damage may occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
You will nd an engine coolant temperature
warning light on your vehicle’s instrument panel.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Warning
Light on page 171for more information.
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If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can
burn you badly, even if you just open the
hood. Stay away from the engine if you
see or hear steam coming from it. Just
turn it off and get everyone away from the
vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant
before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch re.
You or others could be badly burned.
Stop your engine if it overheats, and get
out of the vehicle until the engine is cool.Notice:If your engine catches re because
you keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle
can be badly damaged. The costly repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
An overheat warning, can indicate a serious
problem.
If you get an engine overheat warning, but see or
hear no steam, the problem may not be too
serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little too
hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
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