checking oil SATURN ION 2007 Owners Manual

Page 267 of 440

Service........................................................ 270
Accessories and Modications................... 270
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 271
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 271
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 272
Fuel............................................................. 272
Gasoline Octane........................................ 272
Gasoline Specications.............................. 273
California Fuel........................................... 273
Additives................................................... 273
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 274
Filling the Tank......................................... 275
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 277
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 278
Hood Release........................................... 279
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 280
Engine Oil................................................. 283
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 288
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 290
Automatic Transaxle Fluid......................... 292
Manual Transaxle Fluid............................. 293
Hydraulic Clutch........................................ 293Engine Coolant.......................................... 293
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 297
Engine Overheating................................... 297
Cooling System......................................... 300
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 307
Brakes...................................................... 308
Battery...................................................... 311
Jump Starting............................................ 312
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 318
Bulb Replacement....................................... 318
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 318
Headlamps (Coupe)................................... 319
Headlamps (Sedan)................................... 320
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL) (Coupe).............. 322
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL) (Sedan).............. 323
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL)................................ 324
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps...................................... 324
License Plate Lamp................................... 326
Replacement Bulbs................................... 326
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
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Page 278 of 440

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.
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Page 281 of 440

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 290.
B. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 283.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 283.
D. Electric Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View).
SeeCooling System on page 300.
E. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 308andHydraulic
Clutch on page 293.F. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 378.
G. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 312.
H. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 293.
I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 307.
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Page 283 of 440

A. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 283.
B. Electric Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling
System on page 300.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 283.
D. Intercooler System Pressure Cap. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 293.
E. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 308andHydraulic
Clutch on page 293.
F. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 290.
G. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 378.
H. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 312.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCoolant
Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 297.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 307.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the 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.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 280
for 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.
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Page 309 of 440

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 402.
Always 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 the brake
system, the 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 the 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. SeeWashing Your Vehicle
on page 369.
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Page 429 of 440

CD, MP3 ..................................................... 205
Center Console Storage Area...................... 133
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)..... 324
Chains, Tire................................................. 348
Change Engine Oil Message....................... 183
Check
Engine Light............................................ 174
Check Gage Message................................. 184
Check Gas Cap Message........................... 185
Checking Things Under the Hood................ 278
Chemical Paint Spotting.............................. 373
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems............................. 47
Infants and Young Children........................ 44
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children....... 53
Older Children........................................... 41
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position................................. 61
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position........................ 64
Where to Put the Restraint........................ 52
Cigarette Lighter.......................................... 154
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels.................................... 371
Exterior Lamps/Lenses............................. 370
Fabric/Carpet........................................... 367
Finish Care.............................................. 370Cleaning (cont.)
Inside of Your Vehicle .............................. 366
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.................................... 368
Tires........................................................ 372
Underbody Maintenance........................... 372
Washing Your Vehicle .............................. 369
Weatherstrips........................................... 369
Windshield and Wiper Blades................... 370
Climate Control System......................155, 157
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment........... 161
Outlet Adjustment..................................... 160
Clock..................................................187, 188
Clutch, Hydraulic......................................... 293
Collision Damage Repair............................. 420
Comfort Guides, Rear Safety Belt................. 36
Compact Spare Tire.................................... 365
Compass............................................122, 125
Competitive Driving, Racing or Other........... 234
Content Theft-Deterrent............................... 103
Control of a Vehicle..................................... 222
Convenience Net......................................... 134
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage........................ 173
Surge Tank Pressure Cap........................ 297
Cooling System........................................... 300
Cruise Control
............................................. 147
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