SATURN ION 2006 Owners Manual

A. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
B. Electric Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-31.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
D. Intercooler System Pressure Cap. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-25.
E. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-39andHydraulic Clutch
on page 5-25.
F. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22.
G. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-102.
H. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-43.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCoolant Surge
Tank Pressure Cap on page 5-29.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-38.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.
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 out the dipstick, clean it with a paper towel or
cloth and then push it back in all the way.
3. Pull out the dipstick again, keeping the tip down,
and check the level.
5-15
ProCarManuals.com

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the MIN (minimum) mark, you will
need to add at least one quart/liter of oil. But you must
use the right kind. This section explains what kind of
oil to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specications on page 5-109.
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.
2.2L L4 Engine and
2.4L L4 Engine2.0L L4 Supercharged
Engine
5-16
ProCarManuals.com

What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
For Vehicles With the 2.2L or 2.4L L4
Engine
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.
SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is best
for your vehicle.
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 information on the oil container,
and useonlythose oils that are identied as meeting
GM Standard GM6094M and have the starburst symbol
on the front of the oil container.
5-17
ProCarManuals.com

Notice:Use only engine oil identied as meeting
GM Standard GM6094M and showing the American
Petroleum Institute Certied For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use the recommended
oil can result in engine damage not covered by your
warranty.
GM Goodwrench
®oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
For Vehicles with the 2.0L L4
Supercharged Engine Only
Look for two things:
GM4718M
Your vehicle’s engine requires a special oil meeting
GM Standard GM4718M, such as Mobil 1
®or
equivalent. Oils meeting this standard may be
identied as synthetic. However, not allsyntheticoils
will meet this GM standard. You should look for and
use only an oil that meets GM Standard GM4718M.
5-18
ProCarManuals.com

Notice:If you use oils that do not have the
GM4718M Standard designation, you can cause
engine damage not covered by your warranty.
SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is
best for your vehicle.
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
useonlythose 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
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. 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 standards
are all you will need for good performance and
engine protection.
5-19
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
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 3-45for
more information on this message. Change your oil 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 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 Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine 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.
5-20
ProCarManuals.com

After changing the engine oil, reset the system by doing
the following:
1. Press and release the trip/reset button until the
OIL LIFE message is displayed.
2. Then press and hold the trip/reset button until a
chime sounds ve times, and RESET is displayed
in the message center.
When the system is reset, the odometer will again
be displayed in the message center.
3. Turn the key to LOCK.
If the CHG OIL message comes back on when you start
your vehicle, the engine oil life system has not reset.
Repeat the procedure.
Your vehicle has a unique oil lter element. When
installing the ller cap do not exceed 18 lb-ft (25Y).
Inspect the condition of the O-ring and replace if
damaged. See your Saturn retailer for additional
information.What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil. If you have a problem
properly disposing of your used oil, ask your retailer, a
service station or a local recycling center for help.
5-21
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter Replacement
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine air cleaner/lter.
2.2L L4 Engine shown, 2.4L L4 Engine similar
2.0L L4 Supercharged Engine
5-22
ProCarManuals.com

When to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace it at the rst oil change after each
50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4for more information. If you
are driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the lter
at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter remove the lter from
the vehicle and lightly shake the lter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the lter remains caked with dirt,
a new lter is required.To inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter, do the
following:
1. Loosen the hose clamp that is on the inlet duct on
the cover and pull off the hose.
2. For vehicles equipped with the 2.2L L4 or 2.4L L4
engine, release the two clips and turn the cover
upward to unhook the hinges. For vehicles equipped
with the 2.0L L4 supercharged engine, remove
the three screws on the cover.
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.
5-23
ProCarManuals.com

5. Install the air lter element, hose, hose clamp and
cover.
6. For vehicles equipped with the 2.2L L4 or 2.4L L4
engine, latch the two clips. For vehicles equipped
with the 2.0L L4 supercharged engine, reinstall
the three screws.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter
off can cause you or others to be burned.
The air cleaner not only cleans the air; it
helps to stop ames if the engine backres.
If it is not there and the engine backres,
you could be burned. Do not drive with it off,
and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre can
cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always have
the air cleaner/lter in place when you are driving.
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 your retailer’s service
department and have it repaired as soon as possible.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 6-6, and be sure
to use the transaxle uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
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 in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
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.
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13
for the proper uid to use.
5-24
ProCarManuals.com