open hood SATURN ION 2006 Owners Manual

Fixed Mast Antenna
The xed mast antenna can withstand most car washes
without being damaged. If the mast should ever become
slightly bent, straighten it out by hand. If the mast is badly
bent, replace it.
Check occasionally to make sure the mast is still
tightened to the antenna base located on the hood of
the vehicle. If tightening is required, tighten by hand.
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System
The XM™ Satellite Radio antenna is located on the roof
of your vehicle. Keep this antenna clear of snow and ice
build up for clear radio reception.
If your vehicle has a sunroof, the performance of the
XM™ system may be affected if the sunroof is open.
Loading items onto the roof of your vehicle can interfere
with the performance of the XM™ system. Make sure
the XM™ Satellite Radio antenna is not obstructed.
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Gasoline Octane
If your vehicle has the 2.2L L4 engine (VIN Code F),
use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87,
you may notice an audible knocking noise when you
drive, commonly referred to as spark knock. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as
soon as possible. If you are using gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking, your
engine needs service.
If your vehicle has the 2.4L L4 engine (VIN Code B) or
the 2.0L Supercharged engine (VIN Code P), use
premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating
of 91 or higher. You may also use regular unleaded
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but your vehicle’s
acceleration may be slightly reduced, and you may
notice a slight audible knocking noise, commonly
referred to as spark knock. If the octane is less than 87,
you may notice a heavy knocking noise when you
drive. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane
or higher as soon as possible. Otherwise, you might
damage your engine. If you are using gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking,
your engine needs service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM
specication D 4814 in the United States or
CAN/CGSB-3.5 in Canada. Some gasolines may
contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
General Motors recommends against the use of
gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives on page 5-6
for additional information.
California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specications. See the underhood
emission control label. If this fuel is not available
in states adopting California emissions standards, your
vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specications, but emission control system
performance may be affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp may turn on and your vehicle may fail a
smog-check test. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 3-36. If this occurs, return to your authorized
Saturn retailer for diagnosis. If it is determined that the
condition is caused by the type of fuel used, repairs
may not be covered by your warranty.
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Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts
and start a re. These include liquids like fuel,
oil, coolant, brake uid, windshield washer and
other uids, and plastic or rubber. You or
others could be burned. Be careful not to drop
or spill things that will burn onto a hot engine.
Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the interior hood
release handle with
this symbol on it. It is
located to the left
of the steering column
below the instrument
panel.
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Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the 2.2L L4 engine (2.4L L4 engine similar), here is what you will see:
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When you open the hood on the 2.0L L4 Supercharged engine, here is what you will see:
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Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and tightly
secured.
If you replace your coolant surge tank pressure cap,
a Saturn cap is required.
Engine Overheating
You will nd a coolant temperature gage and a low
coolant level warning message on your vehicle’s
instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gage on page 3-36for more information.
You also have a check gage message and a transaxle
uid hot message. SeeCheck Gage Message on
page 3-45andTransaxle Fluid Hot Message on
page 3-45.
Notice:Driving with either the CHK GAGE message
or the COOLANT message displayed in the message
center and the Engine Coolant Temperature Gage on
your instrument panel in the red zone could cause
your vehicle to overheat. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-29. Your vehicle could be damaged and the
damages might not be covered by your warranty.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn
you badly, even if you just open the hood.
Stay away from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it off and get
everyone away from the vehicle until it cools
down. Wait until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch re.
You or others could be badly burned. Stop
your engine if it overheats, and get out of
the vehicle until the engine is cool.
Notice:If your engine catches re because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not
be covered by your warranty.
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If No Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine
If you get an engine overheat warning with no warning
messages, 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. If you have an air conditioner and it is on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the windows as necessary.
3. Try to minimize engine load. If you are in a traffic
jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N); otherwise, shift to the
highest gear possible while driving.If you no longer have the overheat warning, 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 and you have not stopped, pull
over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for three minutes while you are parked. If you still
have the warning, 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.
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Notice:If you leave your radio or other accessories
on during the jump starting procedure, they could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Always turn off your radio and
other accessories when jump starting your vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or the accessory power outlet. Turn off
the radio and all lamps that are not needed. This
will avoid sparks and help save both batteries.
And it could save the radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the positive (+) and
negative (−) terminal locations on each vehicle.
You will not need to access your battery for jump
starting. Your vehicle has a remote positive (+)
and a remote negative (−) jump starting terminal.The remote positive (+) terminal is located on the
engine compartment fuse block, under a red
cap. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for more information on location.
The remote negative (−) ground terminal is a bolt
located under the metal frame that supports
the radiator. It is at the front of the engine
compartment, on the driver’s side of the vehicle,
and is marked with a label that says GND (−).
{CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the
engine is not running and can injure you.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
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Headlamps (Coupe)
To change a headlamp bulb on a coupe model, do the
following:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-10
for more information.
2. Pull up on the headlamp retaining pins to remove
them from the headlamp assembly.
3. Pull the headlamp assembly away from the vehicle
and remove the electrical connector.4. Raise the lock tab and pull the connector from the
base of the bulb to remove the electrical connector
from the headlamp bulb.
5. Remove the retaining nut by turning it
counterclockwise.
6. Remove the bulb and replace it with the
appropriate bulb.
7. Reverse the steps to reinstall the headlamp
assembly.
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Headlamps (Sedan)
To change a headlamp bulb on a sedan model, do the
following:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-10
for more information.
2. Pull up on the headlamp retaining pins to remove
them from the headlamp assembly.
3. Pull the headlamp assembly away from the vehicle
and remove the electrical connector.4. Access the bulb by turning the dust cap
counterclockwise to remove it.
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