coolant level SATURN ION 2007 Owners Manual

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.
283
ProCarManuals.com

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 402for 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 308for 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 297.
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.
293
ProCarManuals.com

Checking Coolant
The surge tank is located on the driver’s side of
the engine compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 280for more
information on location.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when
the engine and radiator are hot can allow
steam and scalding liquids to blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn the surge
tank pressure cap — even a little — when
the engine and radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be parked on a level surface.
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should
be near the cold ll line. When your engine is
warm, the level should be at the cold ll line or a
little higher.
295
ProCarManuals.com

Checking Intercooler System Coolant
(2.0L L4 Engine Only)
Park your vehicle on a level surface and turn off
the engine. When your engine is cold, the coolant
level should be just visible within the horizontal
tube section of the ll neck. When your engine is
warm, the coolant level could be as high as
the FULL HOT line, or a little higher. The FULL
HOT line has an arrow pointing down at it.
Notice:This vehicle has a specic coolant ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure
could cause your engine to overheat and
be severely damaged.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture at the surge tank
and/or intercooler ll neck, but only when the
engine is cool. SeeCooling System on page 300
for instructions on how to add coolant to the
coolant surge tank and/or intercooler ll neck.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on
hot engine parts. Coolant contains
ethylene glycol, and it will burn if the
engine parts are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing a pressure cap, make sure it is
hand-tight and fully seated.
296
ProCarManuals.com

Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is
what you will see:
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fan
B. Coolant Surge Tank with Pressure Cap{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the
hood 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.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a level surface.
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.
2.2L L4 Engine shown, 2.4L L4 and
2.0L L4 Supercharged Engines similar
300
ProCarManuals.com

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
If you have not found a problem yet, check to see
if coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant
is visible but the coolant level is not at the cold ll
line, add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant
surge tank, but be sure the cooling system,
including the coolant surge tank pressure cap, is
cool before you do it. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 293for more information.
{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system can blow out and burn
you badly. They are under pressure, and if
you turn the coolant surge tank pressure
cap — even a little — they can come out at
high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the coolant
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
surge tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait for
the cooling system and coolant surge
tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have
to turn the pressure cap.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
302
ProCarManuals.com

3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture, to the cold
ll line.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off,
start the engine and let it run until you can
feel the upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch
out for the engine cooling fan.By this time, the coolant level inside the
coolant surge tank may be lower. If the level
is lower, add more of the proper DEX-COOL
®
coolant mixture to the coolant surge tank
until the level reaches the cold ll line.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
Check the level in the surge tank when the cooling
system has cooled down. If the coolant is not at
the proper level, repeat Steps 1 through 3
and reinstall the pressure cap. If the coolant is not
at the proper level when the system cools down
again, see your retailer.
304
ProCarManuals.com

{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on
hot engine parts. Coolant contains
ethylene glycol and it will burn if the
engine parts are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
1. You can remove the Intercooler System
pressure cap when the Intercooler System,
including the upper intercooler hoses, are nolonger hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about one-quarter of a turn. If
you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. This will
allow any pressure still left to be vented.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap slowly,
and remove it.
3. Add the proper DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture
to the ll neck, until there is coolant visible in
the horizontal tube section of the ll neck.
4. With the Intercooler System pressure cap off,
start the engine and let it run for a couple of
minutes. Watch out for the engine cooling fan.
Turn the engine off.
By this time, the coolant level inside the ll
neck may be lower. If the level drops to where
coolant is no longer visible in the horizontal
tube section of the ll neck, with the engine off
add more of the DEX-COOL
®coolant
mixture to the ll neck until the level is again
visible in the horizontal tube section.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
If the coolant is not at the proper level when the
system cools down again, see your retailer.
306
ProCarManuals.com

Scheduled Maintenance (cont’d)
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels. If you have the
2.0L L4 supercharged engine, check intercooler uid level. Add uid as
needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services” in
this section.••
Inspect suspension and steering components.See footnote (b).•
Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (c).•
Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (d).•
Inspect restraint system components.See footnote (e).•
Lubricate body components.See footnote (f).•
Replace passenger compartment air lter.See footnote (k).•
Inspect throttle system.See footnote (g).•
393
ProCarManuals.com

(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This
service can be complex; you should have
your retailer perform this service. See Engine
Coolant on page 293 for what to use. Inspect
hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap,
and ller neck. Pressure test the cooling
system and pressure cap.
(j)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected and
repaired and the uid level checked. Add uid
if needed.
(k)Or every 12 months, whichever occurs rst.
If you drive regularly under dusty conditions,
the lter may require replacement more often.
(l)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions,
inspect the lter at each engine oil change.
(m)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive
cracks, or obvious damage. Replace belt if
necessary.
(n)Drain, ush, and rell intercooler system. This
service can be complex; you should have your
retailer perform this service. See Engine Coolant
on page 293 for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean pressure cap and ller neck. Pressure test
the system and pressure cap.Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be
performed at the intervals specied to help ensure
the safety, dependability, and emission control
performance of your vehicle. Your Saturn retailer
can assist you with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at
once. Whenever any uids or lubricants are added
to your vehicle, make sure they are the proper
ones, as shown inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 402.
397
ProCarManuals.com