tow SATURN AURA HYBRID 2008 Owner's Manual

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
B. Cooling Fans. SeeCooling System on page 5-28.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 5-15.
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
E. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-22.
F. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See″Brake Fluid″
underBrakes on page 5-33.
G. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-34.
H. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-89.
I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-32.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. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
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 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.
5-15

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.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in NEUTRAL (N)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the road,
shift to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and let the
engine idle.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the windows as necessary.If the overheat warning is no longer on, you can drive.
Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning does not come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes parked. If the warning is still there,
turn off the engine and get everyone out of the vehicle
until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
5-27

Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected for
wear or cracking. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4for more information on wiper blade
inspection.
To remove the wiper blade:
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm connector
away from the windshield.
2. Push the release button.
3. Slide the blade forward.
4. Rotate the blade toward you and continue
to slide forward.
5. Install the new blade onto the arm connector
and make sure the grooved areas are fully set
in the locked position.
For the proper type and size, seeMaintenance
Replacement Parts on page 6-13.
5-45

{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts
to which it is fastened, can make wheel
nuts become loose after a time. The wheel
could come off and cause a crash. When
you change a wheel, remove any rust or
dirt from places where the wheel attaches
to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can
use a cloth or a paper towel to do this;
but be sure to use a scraper or wire brush
later, if you need to, to get all the rust
or dirt off.
When It Is Time for New Tires
Various factors, such as maintenance, temperatures,
driving speeds, vehicle loading, and road conditions
inuence when you need new tires.One way to tell when
it is time for new tires
is to check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires
have only 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) or less of
tread remaining.
You need new tires if any of the following statements
are true:
You can see the indicators at three or more
places around the tire.
You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire’s rubber.
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut, or snagged
deep enough to show cord or fabric.
The tire has a bump, bulge, or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut, or other damage
that cannot be repaired well because of the
size or location of the damage.
5-59

Notice:The wrong wheel can also cause problems
with bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height,
vehicle ground clearance, and tire clearance to
the body and chassis.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel
could come off and cause a crash. When
you change a wheel, remove any rust or
dirt from places where the wheel attaches
to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can
use a cloth or a paper towel to do this;
but be sure to use a scraper or wire brush
later, if you need to, to get all the rust or
dirt off.
{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or the
threads of the wheel nuts. If you do, the
wheel nuts might come loose and the wheel
could fall off, causing a crash.
{CAUTION:
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become
loose and even come off. This could lead to a
crash. Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts.
If you have to replace them, be sure to get
new Saturn original equipment wheel nuts.
Notice:Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead
to brake pulsation and rotor damage. To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel
nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper
torque specication.
5-65

If a Tire Goes Flat
Your vehicle has a tire sealant and compressor kit.
SeeTire Sealant and Compressor Kit on page 5-68.
There is no spare tire, no tire changing equipment,
and no place to store a tire.
It is unusual for a tire to blow out while you are driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. See
Tires on page 5-46. If air goes out of a tire, it is much
more likely to leak out slowly. But, if you should
ever have a blow out, here are a few tips about what
to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel rmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake
to a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blow out, particularly on a curve, acts much like
a skid and may require the same correction you would
use in a skid. In any rear blow out, remove your foot
from the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control
by steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may
be very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer.
Gently brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel damage by
driving slowly to a level place and stopping. Then do this:
1. Turn on the hazard warning ashers. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
2. Park your vehicle. Set the parking brake rmly and
put the shift lever in PARK (P). SeeShifting Into
PARK (P) on page 2-29.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Inspect the at tire.
If the tire has been separated from the wheel, has
damaged sidewalls, or has a puncture larger than a
14inch (6 mm), the tire is too severely damaged for
the tire sealant and compressor kit to be effective.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-7.
If the tire has a puncture less than a
14inch (6 mm)
in the tread area of the tire, seeTire Sealant and
Compressor Kit on page 5-68.
5-67

8. Inate the tire to the recommended ination
pressure, found on the Tire and Loading Information
label located on the vehicle’s center pillar (B-pillar)
below the vehicle’s door latch, using the air
pressure gage on the top of the unit.
The pressure gage reads high while the compressor
is running. Turn the compressor off to get an
accurate pressure reading.
Notice:If the recommended pressure cannot be
reached after 15 minutes, the vehicle should not
be driven. The tire is too severely damaged
and cannot be inated or sealed with the tire sealant
and compressor kit. Remove the air compressor
accessory plug from the accessory power outlet
and unscrew the sealant lling hose from the
tire valve or tire pressure monitoring sensor valve.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-7.
9. Push the On/Off switch to the O (off) position
once the correct tire pressure is obtained.
10. The tire is not sealed and will continue to leak
air until the vehicle is driven and the sealant is
distributed in the tire.
Steps 11 through 17 must be done right after
Step 10.
11. Unplug the air compressor accessory plug from
the accessory power outlet in the vehicle.12. Disconnect the sealant lling hose from the tire
valve stem, by turning it counterclockwise, and
replace the tire valve stem cap.
Be careful when handling the tire inator
components as they could be hot after usage.
13. Wrap the sealant lling hose around the air
compressor channel to stow it in its original location.
14. Stow the air compressor accessory plug back in the
air compressor. To do this, wrap the air compressor
accessory plug, snap in the plug, and then push
in the bottom and then the top of the wrapped
air compressor accessory plug.
15. If the at tire was
able to inate to the
recommended ination
pressure, remove
the maximum speed
label from the sealant
canister.
Place it in a highly visible location such as the
inside of the upper left corner of the windshield
or to the face of the radio/clock.
5-72

To install a new sealant canister:
1. Align the sealant lling hose with the slot in the
air compressor.
2. Push the sealant canister down and turn it
clockwise.
3. Wrap the sealant lling hose around the air
compressor channel to stow it in its original location.
4. Push the air compressor inator hose onto the
sealant canister inlet and push the lever down.
Appearance Care
Interior Cleaning
Your vehicle’s interior will continue to look its best if it
is cleaned often. Although not always visible, dust
and dirt can accumulate on your upholstery. Dirt can
damage carpet, fabric, leather, and plastic surfaces.
Regular vacuuming is recommended to remove particles
from your upholstery. It is important to keep your
upholstery from becoming and remaining heavily soiled.
Soils should be removed as quickly as possible. Your
vehicle’s interior may experience extremes of heat
that could cause stains to set rapidly.Lighter colored interiors may require more frequent
cleaning. Use care because newspapers and garments
that transfer color to your home furnishings may also
transfer color to your vehicle’s interior.
When cleaning your vehicle’s interior, only use cleaners
specically designed for the surfaces being cleaned.
Permanent damage may result from using cleaners on
surfaces for which they were not intended. Use glass
cleaner only on glass. Remove any accidental over-spray
from other surfaces immediately. To prevent over-spray,
apply cleaner directly to the cleaning cloth.
Notice:If you use abrasive cleaners when cleaning
glass surfaces on your vehicle, you could scratch
the glass and/or cause damage to the rear window
defogger. When cleaning the glass on your
vehicle, use only a soft cloth and glass cleaner.
Many cleaners contain solvents that may become
concentrated in your vehicle’s breathing space.
Before using cleaners, read and adhere to all safety
instructions on the label. While cleaning your vehicle’s
interior, maintain adequate ventilation by opening
your vehicle’s doors and windows.
Dust may be removed from small buttons and knobs
using a small brush with soft bristles.
5-77

Your dealer/retailer has a product for cleaning your
vehicle’s glass. Should it become necessary, you can
also obtain a product from your dealer/retailer to remove
odors from your vehicle’s upholstery.
Do not clean your vehicle using the following cleaners
or techniques:
Never use a knife or any other sharp object to
remove a soil from any interior surface.
Never use a stiff brush. It can cause damage to
your vehicle’s interior surfaces.
Never apply heavy pressure or rub aggressively
with a cleaning cloth. Use of heavy pressure
can damage your interior and does not improve
the effectiveness of soil removal.
Use only mild, neutral-pH soaps. Avoid laundry
detergents or dishwashing soaps with degreasers.
Using too much soap will leave a residue that
leaves streaks and attracts dirt. For liquid cleaners,
about 20 drops per gallon (3.78 L) of water is a
good guide.
Do not heavily saturate your upholstery while
cleaning.
Damage to your vehicle’s interior may result from
the use of many organic solvents such as naptha,
alcohol, etc.
Fabric/Carpet
Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment
frequently to remove dust and loose dirt. A canister
vacuum with a beater bar in the nozzle may only be used
on oor carpet and carpeted oor mats. For soils, always
try to remove them rst with plain water or club soda.
Before cleaning, gently remove as much of the soil as
possible using one of the following techniques:
For liquids: gently blot the remaining soil with a paper
towel. Allow the soil to absorb into the paper towel
until no more can be removed.
For solid dry soils: remove as much as possible and
then vacuum.
To clean, use the following instructions:
1. Saturate a lint-free, clean white cloth with water or
club soda.
2. Wring the cloth to remove excess moisture.
3. Start on the outside edge of the soil and gently rub
toward the center. Continue cleaning, using a clean
area of the cloth each time it becomes soiled.
4. Continue to gently rub the soiled area until the
cleaning cloth remains clean.
5. If the soil is not completely removed, use a mild
soap solution and repeat the cleaning process
that was used with plain water.
5-78

If any of the soil remains, a commercial fabric cleaner
or spot lifter may be necessary. When a commercial
upholstery cleaner or spot lifter is to be used, test
a small hidden area for colorfastness rst. If the
locally cleaned area gives any impression that a
ring formation may result, clean the entire surface.
After the cleaning process has been completed,
a paper towel can be used to blot excess moisture
from the fabric or carpet.
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces
A soft cloth dampened with water may be used to
remove dust. If a more thorough cleaning is necessary,
a clean soft cloth dampened with a mild soap solution
can be used to gently remove dust and dirt. Never
use spot lifters or removers on plastic surfaces.
Many commercial cleaners and coatings that are
sold to preserve and protect soft plastic surfaces may
permanently change the appearance and feel of
your interior and are not recommended. Do not use
silicone or wax-based products, or those containing
organic solvents to clean your vehicle’s interior because
they can alter the appearance by increasing the gloss
in a non-uniform manner.Some commercial products may increase gloss on your
instrument panel. The increase in gloss may cause
annoying reections in the windshield and even make
it difficult to see through the windshield under certain
conditions.
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
{CAUTION:
Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If you do,
it may severely weaken them. In a crash,
they might not be able to provide adequate
protection. Clean safety belts only with mild
soap and lukewarm water.
5-79