towing SATURN ION 2007 Owners Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems
....................... 7
Front Seats
.............................................. 8
Rear Seats
............................................. 16
Safety Belts
............................................ 18
Child Restraints
...................................... 41
Airbag System
........................................ 68
Restraint System Check
......................... 84
Features and Controls
................................ 87
Keys
....................................................... 89
Doors and Locks
.................................... 94
Windows
............................................... 100
Theft-Deterrent Systems
....................... 103
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
..... 104
Mirrors
.................................................. 122
OnStar
®System
................................... 129
Storage Areas
...................................... 133
Sunroof
................................................ 135Instrument Panel
....................................... 137
Instrument Panel Overview
................... 140
Climate Controls
................................... 155
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
.......................................... 163
Message Center
................................... 182
Audio System(s)
................................... 186
Driving Your Vehicle
................................. 217
Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle
..................................... 218
Towing
................................................. 256
Service and Appearance Care
.................. 267
Service
................................................. 270
Fuel
...................................................... 272
Checking Things Under the Hood
......... 278
Headlamp Aiming
................................. 318
Bulb Replacement
................................ 318
2007 Saturn ION Owner ManualM
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A thick layer of additional material such as a
blanket, or aftermarket equipment such as seat
covers, seat heaters, and seat massagers,
can affect how well the passenger sensing system
operates. Remove any additional material from
the seat cushion before reinstalling or securing the
child restraint and before a small occupant,
including a small adult, sits in the right front
passenger position. You may want to consider not
using seat covers or other aftermarket equipment
if your vehicle has the passenger sensing
system. SeeAdding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 83for more
information about modications that can affect how
the system operates.
The passenger sensing system may suppress the
airbag deployment when liquid is soaked into
the seat. If this happens, the off indicator in the
passenger airbag status indicator and the
airbag readiness light on the instrument panel will
be lit. The system should resume normal
operation after the seat is allowed to dry. If the
system operates incorrectly after the seat
has dried, have your retailer check the system.
{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger’s
seat or between the passenger’s seat
cushion and seatback may interfere with
the proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how your vehicle should be
serviced. There are parts of the airbag system in
several places around your vehicle. You do
not want the system to inate while someone is
working on your vehicle. Your retailer and the
service manual have information about servicing
your vehicle and the airbag system. To purchase a
service manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 425.
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During normal
operation, the security
light will go off
approximately
three seconds after the
key is turned to the
RUN ignition position.
If the engine stalls and the security light ashes,
wait until the light stops ashing before trying
to restart the engine. Remember to release
the key from START as soon as the engine
starts.
If the engine is running and the security light
comes on, you will be able to restart the engine
if you turn the engine off. However, your Passlock
®
system is not working properly and must be
serviced by your retailer. Your vehicle is not
protected by Passlock
®at this time. You may
also want to check the fuses, seeFuses
and Circuit Breakers on page 375. See your
retailer for service.
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an
elaborate break-in. But it will perform better in
the long run if you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one constant speed,
fast or slow, for the rst 500 miles
(805 km). Do not make full-throttle starts.
Do not exceed 5,000 engine rpm. Avoid
downshifting to brake, or slow, the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings are not yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every time
you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during the rst
1,000 miles (1 600 km). SeeTowing a Trailer
on page 259for the trailer towing capabilities
of your vehicle and more information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can
be gradually increased.
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Automatic Transaxle Operation
If your vehicle has an automatic transaxle, the
shift lever is located on the console between
the seats.
There are several
different positions for
the automatic transaxle.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels.
It is the best position to use when you start
your engine because your vehicle cannot
move easily.{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake rmly set. Your
vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle will not
move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, always set your parking brake
and move the shift lever to PARK (P).
SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transaxle) on page 116. If you are pulling
a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 259.
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DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving with
the automatic transaxle. It provides the best fuel
economy for your vehicle. If you need more power
for passing, and you are:
Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push
your accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h), push
your accelerator all the way down.
Downshifting the transaxle in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see “Skidding”
underLoss of Control on page 233.
INTERMEDIATE (I):This position is also used for
normal driving. However, it reduces vehicle speed
without using your brakes for slight downgrades
where the vehicle would otherwise accelerate due
to steepness of grade. If constant upshifting or
downshifting occurs while driving up steep hills, this
position can be used to prevent repetitive types of
shifts. You might choose INTERMEDIATE (I)
instead of DRIVE (D) when driving on hilly, winding
roads and when towing a trailer, so that there is less
shifting between gears.LOW (L):This position reduces vehicle speed
more than INTERMEDIATE (I) without actually
using your brakes. You can use it on very steep
hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever
is put in LOW (L), the transaxle will not shift into
LOW (L) until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage the transaxle.
If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes, or parking
brake to hold the vehicle in place.
Manual Transaxle Operation
This is your shift
pattern.
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Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground,
use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 259.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the
parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding
the button on the shift lever and pushing the
lever all the way toward the front of the
vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
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Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust
into your vehicle. See the earlier caution
underEngine Exhaust on page 120.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into your
vehicle even if the climate control fan is at
the highest setting. One place this can
happen is a garage. Exhaust — with
CO — can come in easily. NEVER park in
a garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 244.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. Do not leave
your vehicle when the engine is running
unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and move
the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
will not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle) on page 116.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 259.
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Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop you. For good
braking, though, you need both parts working well.
If the brake system warning light comes on,
there is a brake problem. Have your brake system
inspected right away.
When the ignition is on, the BRAKE light will come
on when you set your parking brake. The light
will stay on if your parking brake does not release
fully. A chime will also sound if the parking
brake is not fully released and the vehicle is
moving. If it stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
The BRAKE light will also come on to indicate a
low brake uid level. SeeBrakes on page 308
for more information.If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. You may notice
that the pedal is harder to push or the pedal may
go closer to the oor. It may take longer to
stop. Make sure the parking brake is fully released.
Turn the ignition off and wait several seconds to
restart vehicle, if the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing Your
Vehicle on page 256.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
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Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, the anti-lock
brake system (ABS) warning light will come
on briey, as a check, when you start your vehicle.
If it does not, have your vehicle serviced so that
the light works properly when it needs to.
The ABS light is located
in the instrument panel
cluster, to the left of
the engine coolant
temperature gage.
If the light stays on longer than a few seconds
after you start your engine, or comes on and stays
on while you are driving, try resetting the system.To reset the system, do the following:
1. If you are driving, pull over when it is safe to
do so.
2. Be sure the vehicle is in PARK (P).
3. Turn off the ignition.
4. Then restart the engine.
If the light remains on after resetting the system or
comes on again while driving, your vehicle
needs service. If the ABS light is on, but the
regular brake system warning light is not on, the
anti-lock brakes are not working properly, but
the regular brakes are still functioning. Have your
vehicle serviced right away. If both brake lights
are on, you do not have anti-lock brakes, and
there’s a problem with your regular brakes as well.
Have your vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing
Your Vehicle on page 256.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should
come on briey when you turn the ignition
key to RUN. If the light does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there
is a problem.
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Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage measures the
temperature of the
vehicle’s engine coolant.
If the pointer moves into the shaded area, your
engine is too hot, the CHK GAGE message
will appear and a chime will sound to alert you to
the engine coolant temperature gage. See
Check Gage Message on page 184for more
information. If you have been operating your
vehicle under normal driving conditions, you should
pull off the road and stop your vehicle, be sure
the air conditioning is off, let the engine idle for a
few minutes, then turn off the engine.On vehicles with the 2.2L engine, under severe
conditions – hot ambient temperature, steep
grades and towing – your vehicle may experience
more transaxle shifting to avoid engine coolant
overheating. This is temporary and normal under
these conditions. This does not require engine
or transaxle service.
If your engine control system detects a failure in
the engine coolant temperature circuit, the
malfunction indicator lamp light will come on. The
coolant gage may read all the way hot or cold.
The engine cooling fan will be turned on to protect
the engine and transaxle. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 174for more information.
Notice:Driving with the engine coolant
temperature gage indicator in the shaded area
could cause your vehicle to overheat. Your
vehicle could be damaged, and it might not be
covered by your warranty. Never drive with
the engine coolant temperature gage indicator
in the shaded area.
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