sensor SATURN AURA 2007 Owners Manual

{CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and
an airbag, the airbag might not inate
properly or it might force the object into
that person causing severe injury or even
death. The path of an inating airbag must
be kept clear. Do not put anything
between an occupant and an airbag, and
do not attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any
other airbag covering. Never secure
anything to the roof of your vehicle by
routing the rope or tie-down through any
door or window opening. If you do, the
path of an inating airbag will be blocked.
Do not let seat covers block the ination
path of a side impact airbag. The path of
an inating airbag must be kept clear.
When Should an Airbag Inate?
The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal
airbags are designed to inate in moderate to
severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. But they are
designed to inate only if the impact exceeds a
predetermined deployment threshold. Deployment
thresholds take into account a variety of desired
deployment and non-deployment events and are
used to predict how severe a crash is likely to be in
time for the airbags to inate and help restrain the
occupants. Whether your frontal airbags will or
should deploy is not based on how fast your vehicle
is traveling. It depends largely on what you hit, the
direction of the impact, and how quickly your
vehicle slows down.
In addition, your vehicle has “dual stage” frontal
airbags, which adjust the restraint according
to crash severity. Your vehicle has electronic
frontal sensors, which help the sensing system
distinguish between a moderate frontal impact and
a more severe frontal impact. For moderate
frontal impacts, these airbags inate at a level less
than full deployment. For more severe frontal
impacts, full deployment occurs.
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The passenger sensing system will turn off the
right front passenger’s frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag under certain
conditions. The driver’s airbags are not part of the
passenger sensing system.
The passenger sensing system works with
sensors that are part of the right front passenger’s
seat and safety belt. The sensors are designed
to detect the presence of a properly-seated
occupant and determine if the right front
passenger’s frontal airbag and seat-mounted side
impact airbag should be enabled (may inate)
or not.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if
they are restrained in the rear rather than the
front seat.
We recommend that children be secured in a rear
seat, including: an infant or a child riding in a
rear-facing child restraint; a child riding in a
forward-facing child seat; an older child riding in a
booster seat; and children, who are large
enough, using safety belts.
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:
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.
Even though the passenger sensing
system is designed to turn off the right
front passenger’s frontal 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 a rear seat, even
if the airbags are off.
CAUTION: (Continued)
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{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds, after the ignition is
turned off and the battery is disconnected,
an airbag can still inate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are
close to an airbag when it inates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are probably part
of the airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and make sure
the person performing work for you is
qualied to do so.
The airbag system does not need regular
maintenance.
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the front
or sides of the vehicle that could keep the
airbags from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your
vehicle’s frame, bumper system, height,
front end or side sheet metal, they may keep
the airbag system from working properly.
Also, the airbag system may not work properly
if you relocate any of the airbag sensors. If
you have any questions about this, you should
contact Customer Assistance before you
modify your vehicle. The phone numbers and
addresses for Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure in this manual. SeeCustomer
Satisfaction Procedure on page 372.
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Headlamps Off in PARK (P)
This feature works when the ignition is ON and it
is dark outside. To turn the headlamps off
when it is dark outside but keep other exterior
lights on, turn the exterior lamp control to
the parking lamp position. In this position, the
parking lamps, sidemarker lamps, taillamps,
license plate lamps and instrument panel lights
are on, but the headlamps are off.
To turn on the headlamps along with the other
lamps when it is dark outside, turn the exterior
lamp control to the AUTO or headlamp position.
This feature will not work for Canadian vehicles.
Delayed Headlamps
The delayed headlamps feature keeps the
headlamps on for 20 seconds after the key is
turned to OFF, then the headlamps automatically
turn off.
To override the 20 second delayed headlamp
feature while it is active turn the turn
signal/multifunction lever up one position and then
back to AUTO.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during
the day. DRL are helpful in many different
driving conditions, but they can be especially
helpful in the short periods after dawn and before
sunset. Fully functional DRL are required on all
vehicles rst sold in Canada. The vehicle has
a light sensor on top of the instrument panel that
controls the DRL. Make sure it is not covered,
or the head lamps will be on when they are
not needed.
The DRL system makes the low-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness when the
following conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps control is in AUTO.
The exterior lamps control is in the parking
lamps only position (This applies only to
vehicles that are rst sold in Canada).
The light sensor detects daytime light.
The parking brake is released or the vehicle is
not in PARK.
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When the DRL system is on, the taillamps,
sidemarker lamps, parking lamps, and instrument
panel lights are not on unless you turn the
exterior lamps control to the parking lamp position.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the
regular headlamp system when they are needed.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, the automatic
headlamp system turns on the headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such
as the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps, and
the instrument panel lights. The radio lights
will also be dim.
Your vehicle has a light sensor on top of the
instrument panel that controls the automatic
headlamp system. Make sure it is not covered or
the automatic headlamp system will be on
when it is not needed.
There is a delay in the transition between the
daytime and nighttime operation of the DRL and
the automatic headlamp systems so that
driving under bridges or bright overhead street
lights does not affect the system. The DRLand automatic headlamp systems will only be
affected when the light sensor sees a change in
lighting lasting longer than this delay.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the
automatic headlamp system comes on
immediately. Once you leave the garage, it takes
about one minute for the automatic headlamp
system to change to DRL if it is light outside.
During that delay, the instrument panel cluster may
not be as bright as usual. Make sure the
instrument panel brightness control is in the full
bright position. See “Instrument Panel Brightness
Control” underInstrument Panel Brightness on
page 151.
To idle your vehicle with the automatic headlamp
system off, turn the ignition on and set the
exterior light switch to the off/on position. For
Canadian vehicles, the transmission must stay in
PARK (P) for this function.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the
regular headlamps when they are needed.
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Parade Dimming
Parade dimming is a separate lighting mode that
comes on while the parking lamps are turned
on during the day. It prevents the display lights and
indicator lights from being dim, while the parking
lamps are used during the day.
Overhead Console Reading Lamps
The vehicle may have reading lamps on the
overhead console. These lamps come on when
the doors are opened if the lamp switch is
not in the OFF position. Press the side of each
lamp to turn them on and off, while the doors are
closed.
Overhead Ambient Lighting
These lamps will automatically turn on and off as
controlled by the light sensor located on top of
the instrument panel.
Trunk Lamp
The trunk lamp comes on when the trunk is open
and turns off when it is closed.
Battery Run-Down Protection
Your vehicle has a battery run-down feature
designed to protect the vehicle’s battery.
When any interior lamp (trunk, reading lamps, or
dome lamp) is left on when the ignition is
turned off, the battery run-down protection system
automatically shuts the lamp off after 20 minutes.
This prevents draining of the battery.
To reactivate the interior lamps, do one of the
following:
Open any door.
Press any Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter button.
Press the power door lock switch.
Press the remote trunk release.
Turn the lamp that was left on to off and then
to on again.
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Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):Select AUTO on both the fan
speed knob and the air delivery mode knob to
activate the automatic system. When automatic
operation is active the system controls the
inside temperature and air delivery.
Use the steps below to place the entire system in
full automatic control:
1. Turn the fan knob and the mode knob to the
AUTO position.
The current set temperature displays. When
AUTO is selected, the air conditioning
operation and air inlet is automatically
controlled. The air conditioning compressor
runs while the outside temperature is
over about 40°F (4°C). The air inlet is normally
set to outside air. If it is hot outside, the air
inlet can automatically switch to recirculate
inside air to help quickly cool down your
vehicle.
2. Set the temperature.
An initial setting of 73°F (23°C) is
recommended. Allow about 20 minutes for the
system to regulate. Press the
worxarrow
temperature buttons to adjust the temperaturesetting as necessary. If the temperature is set
at 60°F (15°C) the system remains at the
maximum cooling setting. If the temperature is
set at 90°F (32°C) the system remains at the
maximum heat setting. Choosing either
maximum setting does not cause the vehicle to
heat or cool any faster.
Be careful not to cover the sensor located on
the top of the instrument panel near the
windshield. This sensor regulates air
temperature based on the intensity of the sun.
Also do not cover the sensor grille on the
lower right side of the climate control
faceplate, as this regulates the inside
temperature.
To avoid blowing cold air at engine start-up in
cold weather, the system delays turning on
the fan until warm air is available. The length
of delay depends on the engine coolant
temperature. Turning the fan knob overrides
this delay and changes the fan to the selected
speed.
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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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4. To prevent the battery from draining while the
vehicle is being towed, remove the following
fuse from the instrument panel fuse block:
(IGN SENSOR). SeeInstrument Panel Fuse
Block on page 343for more information.
5. Turn the ignition key to ACC.
6. Shift your transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
7. Release the parking brake.
Remember to reinstall the IGN SENSOR fuse
once you have reached your destination.
Notice:If you exceed 65 mph (105 km/h) while
towing your vehicle, it could be damaged.
Never exceed 65 mph (105 km/h) while towing
your vehicle.Notice:Towing your vehicle from the rear
could damage it. Also, repairs would not
be covered by the warranty. Never have your
vehicle towed from the rear.
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How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You cannot tell if your tires are
properly inated simply by looking at them. Radial
tires may look properly inated even when they
are under-inated. Check the tire’s ination
pressure when the tires are cold. Cold means your
vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours
or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem.
Press the tire gage rmly onto the valve to
get a pressure measurement. If the cold tire
ination pressure matches the recommended
pressure on the Tire and Loading Information
label, no further adjustment is necessary. If the
ination pressure is low, add air until you reach the
recommended amount.
If you overll the tire, release air by pushing on
the metal stem in the center of the tire valve.
Re-check the tire pressure with the tire gage.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve
stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt
and moisture.
Tire Pressure Monitor System
Your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS). This system uses radio and sensor
technology to check tire pressure levels. Sensors
are mounted onto each tire and wheel assembly.
The TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure
in your vehicle’s tires and transmit tire pressure
readings to a receiver located in the vehicle.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should
be checked monthly when cold and inated to
the ination pressure recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire
ination pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of
a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire ination pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire ination
pressure for those tires.)
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