overheating SATURN ION 2006 Owners Manual

Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible
with the accessory power outlet and could result in blown
vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a problem,
see your retailer for additional information on the
accessory power outlet.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to your
vehicle may damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Check with your
retailer before adding electrical equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow the
installation instructions included with the equipment.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can cause
damage not covered by your warranty. Do not hang
any type of accessory or accessory bracket from the
plug because the power outlets are designed for
accessory power plugs only.Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
Your vehicle may have an ashtray and cigarette lighter.
To use the lighter, just push it in all the way and let
go. When it’s ready, it will pop back out by itself.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating will not allow the lighter to back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating may occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold a
cigarette lighter in while it is heating.
To remove the ashtray, lift it straight up. To reinstall it,
press the ashtray down rmly until it is fully seated.
Notice:If you put papers, pins, or other ammable
items in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other smoking
materials could ignite them and possibly damage
your vehicle. Never put ammable items in the
ashtray.
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Transaxle Fluid Hot Message
If the TRANS HOT
message is displayed,
the automatic transaxle
uid may be overheating.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-29for 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 6-4andEngine
Oil on page 5-15for more information.
Check Gage Message
If the CHK GAGE message
is displayed, the engine
coolant may be
overheated. A chime will
also sound to alert
you to this message.
If this message is displayed, check your engine coolant
temperature gage. If the needle is in the red area, your
engine may be overheating. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-36andEngine
Overheating on page 5-29for more information.
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.
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Driving on Grades
Notice:Do not tow on steep continuous grades
exceeding 6 miles (9.6 km). Extended, higher than
normal engine and transaxle temperatures may result
and damage your vehicle. Frequent stops are very
important to allow the engine and transaxle to cool.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility of the engine and the transmission
overheating. If your engine does overheat, see
Engine Overheating on page 5-29.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) for an automatic transaxle, or into gear
for a manual transaxle.
When parking uphill, turn your wheels away from
the curb. When parking downhill, turn your wheels
into the curb.
2. Have someone place chocks behind the trailer
wheels.
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3. When the chocks are in place, release the regular
brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake and shift into PARK (P) for an
automatic transaxle or REVERSE (R) for a manual
transaxle.
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave
After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal
down while you:
start your engine
shift into a gear, and
release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4for more information. Things that are
especially important in trailer operation are automatic
transaxle uid (don’t overll), engine oil, axle lubricant,
drive belt, cooling system and brake system. Each of
these is covered in this manual, and the Index will help
you nd them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea
to review this information before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-29.
Changing a Tire When Trailer Towing
If you get a at tire while towing a trailer, be sure
to secure the trailer and disconnect it from the vehicle
before changing the tire.
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Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling the Tank..............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-20
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-22
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-24
Manual Transaxle Fluid..................................5-24
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-25
Engine Coolant.............................................5-25
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-29
Engine Overheating.......................................5-29Cooling System............................................5-31
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-38
Brakes........................................................5-39
Battery........................................................5-42
Jump Starting...............................................5-43
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-48
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-48
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-48
Headlamps (Coupe)......................................5-49
Headlamps (Sedan)......................................5-50
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL) (Coupe)...................5-52
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL) (Sedan)....................5-53
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-54
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.........................................5-54
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-55
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-56
Tires..............................................................5-57
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-59
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-62
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-64
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-66
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-68
Buying New Tires.........................................5-68
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
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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 5-39for more information.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add only
DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating
on page 5-29.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at the rst maintenance
service after each 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or
24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
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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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The coolant level should be at the cold ll line. If it is
not, you may have a leak at the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water pump, or somewhere else in
the cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them.
If you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That
could cause an engine re, and you could be
burned. Get any leak xed before you drive
the vehicle.If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine cooling fan is running.
If the engine is overheating, the fan should be running.
If it is not, your vehicle needs service. Turn off the
engine.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
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Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service,
see your Saturn Warranty booklet for details. For
additional information refer to the tire manufacturer’s
booklet included with your vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used
tires are dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much
friction. You could have an air-out and
a serious accident. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 4-31.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Underinated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
Overinated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured, or broken by a sudden
impact — such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents.
If your tread is badly worn, or if your
tires have been damaged, replace them.
SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-64
for ination pressure adjustment for high
speed driving.
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E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-99
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................5-102
Floor Console Fuse Block...........................5-100
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-100
Power Windows and Other Power Options.......5-100
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-100
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-22
Battery.......................................................5-42
Change Oil Message...................................3-45
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-36
Coolant......................................................5-25
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-36
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-30
Oil .............................................................5-15
Oil Life System...........................................5-20
Overheating................................................5-29
Reduced Power Light...................................3-41
Starting......................................................2-20
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)........................ 4-9
Entry Lighting.................................................3-16
Error Message................................................3-47
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-7
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-31
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-22
Finish Damage...............................................5-96
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-72
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-75
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-76
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-87
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-24
Manual Transaxle........................................5-24
Windshield Washer......................................5-38
Fog Lamps ....................................................3-15
Folding Rear Seat............................................ 1-9
Folding Seatback, Passenger............................. 1-7
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Daytime
Running Lamps...................................5-52, 5-53
Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage .........................................................3-42
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
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