warning light SATURN L-SERIES 2004 Owner's Manual

Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your trunk.
Also seeTires on page 5-54.Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a
supply of windshield washer uid, a rag, some winter
outer clothing, a small shovel, a ashlight, a red
cloth and a couple of reective warning triangles. And, if
you will be driving under severe conditions, include a
small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet or a couple of
burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you
properly secure these items in your vehicle.
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What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it in
the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by taking it
to a place that collects used oil. If you have a problem
properly disposing of your used oil, ask your dealer, a
service station or a local recycling center for help.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter every 15,000 miles (25 000
km) and replace every 30,000 miles (50 000 km). If
you are driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the lter
at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter, remove the lter from
the vehicle and lightly shake lter to release loose dust
and dirt. If the lter remains “caked” with dirt, a new
lter is required.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
location of air cleaner/lter.
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Automatic 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 retailer’s service
department and have it repaired as soon as possible.
You may also have your uid level checked by your
retailer or service center when you have your oil
changed.
Change both the uid and lter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the uid and lter do not require changing.
Notice:Use of automatic transaxle uid labeled
other than DEXRON
®-III may damage your vehicle,
and the damages may not be covered by your
warranty. Always use DEXRON
®-III labeled automatic
transaxle uid.
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 100,000 miles
(166 000 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 5-26.
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 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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Checking Coolant
The surge tank is located
on the driver”s side of the
engine compartment.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12
for 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 on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the Cold
line (surge tank seam). When your engine is warm,
the level should be at the Cold line or a little higher.
If the low coolant light comes on and stays on, it means
you’re low on engine coolant. SeeLow Coolant
Warning Light on page 3-33.
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Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixtureat the surge tank, but only when the
engine is cool. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-26
for instructions on “How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank.”
{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 the pressure cap, make sure it is
hand-tight.
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 coolant
temperature warning light on your vehicle’s instrument
panel. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Gage on
page 3-33andEngine Coolant Temperature Warning
Light on page 3-32. You will also nd a low coolant level
warning light on your vehicle’s instrument panel. See
Low Coolant Warning Light on page 3-33.
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If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
An overheat warning, along with a low coolant light, can
indicate a serious problem. SeeLow Coolant Warning
Light on page 3-33.
If you get an engine overheat warning with no low
coolant light, but see or hear no steam, the problem may
not be too serious. Sometimes the engine can get a
little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. If you have an air conditioner and it’s on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. Try to minimize engine load. If you’re in a traffic
jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N); otherwise, shift to the
highest gear while driving.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about ten minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues and you have not stopped, pull
over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for three minutes while you’re parked. If you still
have the warning,turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicleuntil it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
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Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder
reservoir is lled with
DOT-3 brake uid. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid level in
the reservoir might go down. The rst is that the
brake uid goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the uid level goes back up. The other reason is
that uid is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake system xed, since a leak
means that sooner or later your brakes will not work
well, or will not work at all.So, it is not a good idea to “top off” your brake uid.
Adding brake uid will not correct a leak. If you add uid
when your linings are worn, then you will have too
much uid when you get new brake linings. You should
add (or remove) brake uid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake uid, it can spill on
the engine. The uid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
uid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake uid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-30.
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Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except when you are pushing on the
brake pedal rmly).
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear the
brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to Saturn torque specications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your retailer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your brakes
adjust for wear. If you rarely make a moderate or heavier
stop, then your brakes might not adjust correctly. If you
drive in that way, then — very carefully — make a few
moderate brake stops about every 1,000 miles
(1 600 km), so your brakes will adjust properly.
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A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-16
Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feature................3-69
Adding Windshield Washer Fluid.......................5-35
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-91
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade)............................3-44, 3-47, 3-52
Air Bag
Readiness Light..........................................3-28
Air Bag Systems.............................................1-62
Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-72
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-68
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-71
What Makes an Air Bag Inate?....................1-68
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inates?......1-69
When Should an Air Bag Inate?...................1-67
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-64
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-20
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-8
AM ...............................................................3-71
AM-FM Radio.................................................3-42
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-73
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............................ 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-31
Appearance Care............................................5-82
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-85
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-88Appearance Care (cont.)
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-82
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-85
Finish Damage............................................5-88
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-87
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-88
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-89
Weatherstrips..............................................5-85
Ashtrays........................................................3-17
Assist Handles...............................................2-41
Audio Output..................................................3-61
Audio System(s).............................................3-41
AM-FM Radio.............................................3-42
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-72
Care of Your CD and DVD Player..................3-73
Care of Your CDs and DVDs........................3-73
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-73
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-50
Radio with CD............................................3-45
Setting the Time..........................................3-41
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-69
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-71
Automatic Climate Control System.....................3-20
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation..........2-35, 2-37
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-14
Automatic Operation........................................3-21
Automatic Transaxle........................................2-21
Fluid..........................................................5-23
Operation...................................................2-23
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B
Backing Up....................................................4-44
Battery..........................................................5-39
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-7
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-16
Battery Warning Light......................................3-29
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-23
Before You Drive............................................3-59
Brake
Parking......................................................2-27
System Warning Light..................................3-30
Brake Fluid....................................................5-36
Brake Wear...................................................5-38
Brakes..........................................................5-36
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-19
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-46
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL)..........................5-49, 5-50
Fog Lamps.................................................5-49
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-46
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-47
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-52
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps................................5-50, 5-52
Buying New Tires...........................................5-64
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-7
Capacities and Specications............................5-98
Carbon Monoxide...................4-26, 4-40, 2-13, 2-31
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-85
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-72
Your CD and DVD Player.............................3-73
Your CDs and DVDs....................................3-73
Cargo Cover..................................................2-43
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-54
Cassette Tape Player Service............................. 6-9
CD Adapter Kits.............................................3-54
CD Messages........................................3-49, 3-58
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-41
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)....5-49, 5-50
Center Rear Passenger Position (Wagon)...........1-31
Chains, Tires..................................................5-68
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-34
Checking Coolant............................................5-25
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-16
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-88
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