maintenance SATURN ION 2007 Owners Manual

Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.... 327
Tires
..................................................... 328
Appearance Care
.................................. 366
Vehicle Identication
............................. 374
Electrical System
.................................. 375
Capacities and Specications
................ 384Maintenance Schedule
.............................. 387
Maintenance Schedule
.......................... 388
Customer Assistance Information
............. 409
Customer Assistance and Information
..... 410
Reporting Safety Defects
...................... 424
Index
.......................................................... 427
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{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds, after the ignition is
turned off and the battery is disconnected,
an airbag can still inate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are
close to an airbag when it inates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are probably part
of the airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and make sure
the person performing work for you is
qualied to do so.
The airbag system does not need regular
maintenance.
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the front
or sides of the vehicle that could keep the
airbags from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your
vehicle’s frame, bumper system, height,
front end or side sheet metal, they may keep
the airbag system from working properly.
Also, the airbag system may not work properly
if you relocate any of the airbag sensors. If
you have any questions about this, you should
contact Customer Assistance before you
modify your vehicle. The phone numbers and
addresses for Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure in this manual. SeeCustomer
Satisfaction Procedure on page 410.
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Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get
my vehicle modied. How can I nd out
whether this will affect my airbag system?
A:Changing or moving any parts of the
front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing
and diagnostic module, steering wheel,
instrument panel, ceiling headliner, ceiling and
pillar garnish trim, roof-mounted airbag
modules, or airbag wiring can affect the
operation of the airbag system. If you have
questions, call Customer Assistance. The
phone numbers and addresses for Customer
Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in this manual.
SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure on
page 410.
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder
light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates,
retractors and anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety
belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have
it repaired. SeeCare of Safety Belts on page 369
for more information.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in
a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken airbag
covers, and have them repaired or replaced. The
airbag system does not need regular maintenance.
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Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Passenger compartment air is routed through
a passenger compartment lter. The lter removes
certain particles from the air, including pollen
and dust particles. Reductions in airow, which
may occur more quickly in dusty areas, indicate
that the lter needs to be replaced early.
The lter should be replaced as part of routine
scheduled maintenance. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 391for replacement
intervals. See your retailer for details on changing
the lter. To nd out what type of lter to use,
seeNormal Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page 404.To access the passenger compartment air lter
you must go through the glove box.
1. Open the glove box and remove all articles
from the inside.
2. Locate the doorstop insulators on each side of
the glove box and remove them.
3. Tilt the glove box door down by squeezing on
each side of the glove box until the door can
be lowered from its track. Lower the glove
box door completely.
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Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has a
computer which
monitors operation of
the fuel, ignition,
and emission control
systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended
to assure that emissions are at acceptable
levels for the life of the vehicle, helping to produce
a cleaner environment. The check engine light
comes on to indicate that there is a problem and
service is required. Malfunctions often will be
indicated by the system before any problem is
apparent. This may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle. This system is also designed to
assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on, after awhile, the emission controls
might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel
economy might not be as good, and the engine
might not run as smoothly. This could lead
to costly repairs that might not be covered by
your warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transaxle, exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of your vehicle or the replacement of the
original tires with other than those of the same
Tire Performance Criteria (TPC) can affect
your vehicle’s emission controls and may
cause this light to come on. Modications to
these systems could lead to costly repairs not
covered by your warranty. This may also
result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 270.
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Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have
or may begin programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass
this inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know in order
to help your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
check engine light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if
the OBD (on-board diagnostic) system determines
that critical emission control systems have not
been completely diagnosed by the system.
The vehicle would be considered not ready for
inspection. This can happen if you have recently
replaced your battery or if your battery has
run down. The diagnostic system is designed to
evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This may take several days
of routine driving. If you have done this and
your vehicle still does not pass the inspection for
lack of OBD system readiness, your retailer
can prepare the vehicle for inspection.
Oil Pressure Light
If you have a low engine
oil pressure problem,
this light will stay on after
you start your engine, or
come on when you are
driving.
This indicates that your engine is not receiving
enough oil.
The engine could be low on oil, or could have
some other oil problem. Have it xed immediately.
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The oil light may also come on when the ignition
is on but the engine is not running, the light
will come on as a test to show you it is working,
but the light will go out when you turn the
ignition to START. If it does not come on with the
ignition on, you may have a problem with the
fuse or bulb. Have it xed right away.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is
low. If you do, your engine can become so
hot that it catches re. You or others could
be burned. Check your oil as soon as
possible and have your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
may damage the engine. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
Passlock®Warning Light
Your vehicle has a
Passlock®
theft-deterrent system.
With this system, the
security light will ash as
you open the door if your
ignition is off.
For more information, seePasslock
®on page 103.
Reduced Engine Power Light
This light will come on
briey when you start
the engine.
This light, along with the service engine soon light
will be displayed when a noticeable reduction in
the vehicle’s performance may occur. Stop the
vehicle and turn off the ignition. Wait for
10 seconds and restart your vehicle. This may
correct the condition.
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Message Center
The message center is located in the instrument
panel cluster. It gives you important safety
and maintenance facts.
If there are several messages, each message will
be shown for a few seconds and will continue
to repeat until cleared. To clear a message, press
the trip/reset button while the message you
want to clear is being displayed.
Many messages will also cause a chime to sound,
to alert you to the message.
Changing the Language (Canada Only)
Vehicles rst sold in Canada have instrument panel
clusters that show messages in either English or
French. To change the language, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition on.
2. Press the trip/reset button until the current
language of ENGLISH or FRENCH is
displayed.
3. Press and hold the trip/reset button for
several seconds until the language is
changed.
4. Press the trip/reset button to return to the
odometer display.
Low Traction Message
If your vehicle has an
enhanced traction
system (ETS), this LOW
TRAC message will
be displayed when the
system is limiting
wheel spin.
SeeEnhanced Traction System (ETS) on
page 226for more information.
Traction Off Message
If your vehicle has an
enhanced traction
system (ETS), this
TRAC OFF message
will be displayed briey
when the system
has been turned off.
SeeEnhanced Traction System (ETS) on
page 226for more information.
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Cruise Control Message
The CRUISE message
is displayed briey when
your cruise control
system has been
activated, or set to a
desired speed.
SeeCruise Control on page 147for more
information.
Transaxle Fluid Hot Message
If the TRANS HOT
message is displayed,
the automatic transaxle
uid may be
overheating.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 297for 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 391and
Engine Oil on page 283for more information.
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When you turn the system off, the TRAC OFF
message will be displayed. If the ETS is limiting
wheel spin when you press the button to turn
the system off, the TRAC OFF message will be
displayed, but the system will not turn off until
there is no longer a current need to limit wheel
spin. You can turn the system back on at any time
by pressing the button again. The TRAC OFF
message will no longer be displayed.
Adding non-Saturn accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 270for more information.
Limited-Slip Differential
Your vehicle may have this feature. A limited-slip
transaxle can give you additional traction on
snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a
standard transaxle most of the time, but when one
of the front wheels loses traction, this feature
will allow the wheel with traction to move
the vehicle.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
If the engine stalls while you are driving, the
power steering assist system will continue
to operate until you are able to stop the vehicle.
If you lose power steering assist because the
system is not functioning, you can steer but it will
take much more effort.
If you turn the steering wheel in either direction
several times until it stops, or hold the steering
wheel in the stopped position for an extended
amount of time, you may notice a reduced amount
of power steering assist. The normal amount of
power steering assist should return shortly after a
few normal steering movements.
The electric power steering system does not require
regular maintenance.
If the PWR STR
message in the
message center is
displayed, see your
retailer for service.
SeePower Steering
Message on page 184.
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