check oil SATURN ION 2004 User Guide

When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life System)
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 CHG OIL message will come on.
SeeChange Engine Oil Message on page 3-43for
more information on this message. Change your oil as
soon as possible within the next two times you stop
for fuel. It is possible that, if you are driving under the
best conditions, the oil life system may not indicate
that an oil change is necessary for over a year.However, your engine oil and lter must be changed at
least once a year and at this time the system must
be reset. Your retailer has trained service people who
will perform this work using genuine Saturn parts
and reset the system. It is also important to check your
oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your 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.
How to Reset the Oil Life System
The GM Oil Life System calculates when to change
your engine oil and lter based on vehicle use.
Anytime your oil is changed, reset the system so it can
calculate when the next oil change is required. If a
situation occurs where you change your oil prior to the
CHG OIL message being turned on, reset the system.
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3. Pull the air cleaner/lter box cover out and remove
the air lter element from the air lter box. If the
element is dirty, you should replace it. If the element
is only dusty, it may be cleaned by blowing
compressed air through it from the clean side.
Make sure you are away from your engine
compartment when cleaning the air lter with
compressed air.
4. Wipe all dust from inside the housing and inspect the
air cleaner and air inlet tube for cracks, cuts and
deterioration. The air inlet tube must be replaced if it
is damaged.
5. Install the air lter element, hose, hose clamp and
cover.
6. For vehicles equipped with the 2.2L engine, latch
the two clips. For vehicles equipped with the 2.0L
supercharged engine, replace the three screws.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 the vehicle to retailer’s service
department and have it repaired as soon as possible.
You may also have your uid level checked by your
retailer or service center when you have your oil
changed.
Change both the uid and lter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
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If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the uid and lter do not require changing.
Notice:For VTi variable transaxles, use only Saturn
Variable Transaxle Fluid. Using any other uid will
result in transaxle damage. Damage cause by
the use of uid other than Saturn Variable Transaxle
Fluid will not be covered by your warranty.
Notice:For ve-speed automatic transaxles,
use only Saturn T-IV Transaxle Fluid. Using any
other uid will result in transaxle damage. Damage
cause by the use of uid other than Saturn T-IV
Transaxle Fluid will not be covered by your
warranty.Manual 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 the vehicle to your retailer’s service
department and have it repaired as soon as possible.
You may also have your uid level checked by your
retailer or service center when you have your oil
changed. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-14for the proper uid to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. This system does not have its own
reservoir. It receives uid from the brake master
cylinder reservoir.
SeeBrakes on page 5-38for more information.
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How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, check to see if
coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level isn’t at the cold ll line, add a
50/50 mixture ofclean, drinkable waterand DEX-COOL
®
coolant at the coolant surge tank, but be sure the
cooling system, including the coolant surge tank
pressure cap, is cool before you do it. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-26for more information.
{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and if you turn the coolant
surge tank pressure cap — even a little — they
can come out at high speed. Never turn the
cap when the cooling system, including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and coolant surge
tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have to
turn the pressure cap.
{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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
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Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake uid level without removing
the reservoir cap by just looking at the brake uid
reservoir. The uid level should be at or below the MAX
ll mark. After work has been done on the brake
hydraulic system, make sure the level does not exceed
the MAX ll mark on the reservoir.
What to Add
When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3 brake
uid. Use new brake uid from a sealed container
only. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-14. Be sure to clean the brake uid reservoir cap
and the area around the cap before removing it.
This will help keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system parts so
badly that they will have to be replaced. Do not
let someone put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged.
Be careful not to spill brake uid on your
vehicle. If you do, wash it off immediately.
SeeAppearance Care on page 5-87.
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Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc.,
can damage your vehicle’s nish if they remain
on painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as
possible. If necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that
are marked safe for painted surfaces to remove
foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a
period of years. You can help to keep the paint nish
looking new by keeping your vehicle garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running,
wax, sap or other material may be on the blade
or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a full-strength
glass cleaning liquid. The windshield is clean if beads do
not form when you rinse it with water.Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper blades
and affect their performance. Clean the blade by
wiping vigorously with a cloth soaked in full-strength
windshield washer solvent. Then rinse the blade
with water.
Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary;
replace blades that look worn.
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax
may then be applied.
The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted
surface of your vehicle. Do not use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners,
cleaners with acid, or abrasive cleaning brushes on
them because you could damage the surface. Do not
use chrome polish on aluminum wheels.
Do not take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
that has silicone carbide tire cleaning brushes. These
brushes can also damage the surface of these wheels.
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Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-14for more information.
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a
Use Refrigerant Oil, R134a Systems0.9 lbs. 0.41 kg
Cooling System 6.9 quarts 6.5 L
Engine Oil with Filter
2.2L L4
2.0L Supercharged4.0 quarts
6.75 quarts4.8 L
6.4 L
Fuel Tank 13.5 gallons 50.5 L
Transaxle
Manual
Five-Speed Automatic
VTi Variable1.8 quarts
4.2 quarts
6.9 quarts1.7 L
4.0 L
6.5 L
Wheel Nut Torque 92 lb ft 125Y
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to ll to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck uid level after lling.
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Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level and
change as recommended.
Maintenance Requirements
Notice:Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections,
replacement parts and recommended uids and
lubricants as prescribed in this manual are
necessary to keep your vehicle in good working
condition. Any damage caused by failure to follow
scheduled maintenance may not be covered by
warranty.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance is
important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper uid
levels or the wrong tire ination can increase the level of
emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good condition,
be sure to maintain your vehicle properly.
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at Saturn want to help you keep your vehicle in good
working condition. But we do not know exactly how
you will drive it. You may drive very short distances only
a few times a week. Or you may drive long distances
all the time in very hot, dusty weather. You may
use your vehicle in making deliveries. Or you may drive
it to work, to do errands or in many other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may need more
frequent checks and replacements. So please read
the following and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good condition,
see your Saturn retailer.
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Scheduled Maintenance
When the CHG OIL message comes on, it means
that service is required for your vehicle. Have your
vehicle serviced 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 engine oil life
system may not indicate that vehicle service is
necessary for over a year. However, your engine oil and
lter must be changed at least once a year and at
this time the system must be reset. Your Saturn retailer
has Saturn-trained service technicians who will
perform this work using genuine Saturn parts and reset
the system.
If the engine oil life system is ever reset accidentally,
you must service your vehicle within 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) since your last service. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil on page 5-15for information on the Engine
Oil Life System and resetting the system.When the CHG OIL message appears, certain services,
checks and inspections are required. Required
services are described in the following for
“MaintenanceI” and “MaintenanceII.” Generally, it is
recommended that your rst service be MaintenanceI,
your second service be MaintenanceIIand that you
alternate MaintenanceIand MaintenanceIIthereafter.
However, in some cases, MaintenanceIImay be
required more often.
MaintenanceI— Use MaintenanceIif the CHG OIL
message comes on within ten months since vehicle was
purchased or MaintenanceIIwas performed.
MaintenanceII— Use MaintenanceIIif the previous
service performed was MaintenanceI. Always use
MaintenanceIIwhenever the message comes on ten
months or more since the last service or if the message
has not come on at all for one year.
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Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. Reset oil life system. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-15.An Emission Control Service.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (j).••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22.An Emission Control Service. See footnote †.••
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTires on page 5-58.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels and add uid as
needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services” in
this section.••
Inspect suspension and steering components.See footnote (b).•
Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (c).•
Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (d).•
Inspect restraint system components.See footnote (e).•
Lubricate body components.See footnote (f).•
Replace passenger compartment air lter.See footnote (k).•
Inspect throttle system.See footnote (g).•
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