oil level SATURN ION 2004 Owners Manual

3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be ooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
oor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briey but then stops again, do the same thing,
but this time keep the pedal down for ve or
six seconds. This clears the extra gasoline from the
engine.
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 dealer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly.Racing or Other Competitive Driving
See your warranty book before using your vehicle
for racing or other competitive driving.
Notice:If you use your vehicle for racing or other
competitive driving, the engine may use more
oil than it would with normal use. Low oil levels can
damage the engine. Be sure to check the oil level
often during racing or other competitive driving and
keep the level at or near 1 quart (1 L) above the
upper mark that shows the proper operating range
on the engine oil dipstick. For information on
how to add oil, seeEngine Oil on page 5-15.
After the competitive driving, remove excess oil so
that the level on the dipstick is not above the
upper mark that shows the proper operating range.
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Message Center.............................................3-41
Low Traction Message...................................3-42
Traction Off Message....................................3-42
Cruise Control Message.................................3-42
Transaxle Fluid Hot Message.........................3-42
Transaxle Fluid Cold Message........................3-43
Low Coolant Level Warning Message................3-43
Change Engine Oil Message..........................3-43
Check Gage Message...................................3-44
Power Steering Message...............................3-44
Trunk Ajar Warning Message.........................3-44
Low Fuel Warning Message...........................3-45
Service Vehicle Message...............................3-45
Error Message.............................................3-45Audio System(s).............................................3-46
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)..................................3-46
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data
Systems (RDS).........................................3-47
AM-FM Radio...............................................3-47
Radio with CD (Base Level)...........................3-50
Radio with CD (MP3)....................................3-54
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-68
Radio Reception...........................................3-70
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-71
Care of Your CD Player................................3-71
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-71
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.............3-71
Section 3 Instrument Panel
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Transaxle Fluid Cold Message
The TRANS COLD
message will be displayed
if the automatic transaxle
uid temperature is
too cold to operate
correctly.
When this happens, shifting out of PARK (P) is
prevented until the transaxle uid warms up. Let the
engine run for a few minutes until this message is
no longer displayed. The vehicle may then be shifted
out of PARK (P).
Low Coolant Level Warning Message
When the COOLANT
message is displayed while
the engine is running, the
engine coolant is low.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-26for more information.
Change Engine Oil Message
When the CHG OIL
message is displayed, it
means that service is
required for your vehicle.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4 Engine Oil on
page 5-15for 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 inless than a second,and you could
crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
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A. Engine Oil Dipstick Location. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-15.
B. Electric Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-32.
C. Engine Oil Fill Location. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-15.
D. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-26.
E. Brake Master Cylinder. SeeBrakes on page 5-38
andHydraulic Clutch on page 5-25.
F. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22.
G. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeFuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 5-95.
H. Remote Positive Terminal Location. SeeJump
Starting on page 5-42.
I. Surge Tank. SeeCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
on page 5-29.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-37.
Before closing the hood, be sure all ller caps are on
properly.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your 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 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil
dipstick might not show the actual level.
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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When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the MIN mark, then you will need
to add at least one quart of oil. But you must use the
right kind. This section explains what kind of oil to use.
For engine oil crankcase capacity, seeCapacities
and Specications on page 5-102.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If your engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil ll cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the
way back in when you are through.
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
For Vehicles With the 2.2L L4 Engine Only
Look for two things:
GM6094M
Your vehicle’s engine requires oil meeting GM
Standard GM6094M. You should look for and use
only an oil that meets GM Standard GM6094M.
2.2L L4 Engine2.0L Supercharged
Engine
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SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is
best for your vehicle. However, you can use SAE
10W-30 if it is going to be 0°F (-18°C) or above.
These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity
oils such as SAE 20W-50.
Oils meeting these
requirements should
also have the starburst
symbol on the container.
This symbol indicates
that the oil has been
certied by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
You should look for this on the oil container, and use
onlythose oils that are identied as meeting GM
Standard GM4718M and have the starburst symbol on
the front of the oil container.Your vehicle’s engine is lled at the factory with a
Mobil 1®synthetic oil, which meets all requirements for
your vehicle.
Substitute Engine Oil:When adding oil to maintain
engine oil level, oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M
may not be available. You can add substitute oil
designated SAE 5W-30 with the starburst symbol at all
temperatures. If temperatures are above 0°F (-18°C),
you may substitute SAE 10W-30 with the starburst
symbol. Substitute oil not meeting GM Standard
GM4718M should not be used for an oil change.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM6094M are all you will need for good performance
and engine protection.
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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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