engine SATURN OUTLOOK 2007 Owner's Guide

Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages on
your vehicle. The pictures help to locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something
is wrong before it becomes serious enough to
cause an expensive repair or replacement. Paying
attention to the warning lights and gages could also
save you or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As
the details show on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briey when you start the
engine just to let you know they are working. If
you are familiar with this section, you should
not be alarmed when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often
gages and warning lights work together to let
you know when there is a problem with your
vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and
stays on as you are driving, or when one of
the gages shows there may be a problem, check
the section that tells you what to do about it.
Please follow this manual’s advice. Waiting to do
repairs can be costly and even dangerous. So
please get to know your vehicle’s warning
lights and gages. They can be a big help.
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Speedometer and Odometer
The speedometer lets you see your speed
in both miles per hour (mph) and kilometers
per hour (km/h).
The odometer shows how far your vehicle has
been driven, in either miles or kilometers.
Your vehicle has a tamper-resistant odometer. If
your vehicle needs a new odometer installed,
the new one will be set to the mileage total of the
old odometer. If this is not possible, it will be
set at zero and a label must be put on the driver’s
door to show the old mileage reading when the
new odometer was installed. If the mileage
is unknown, the label should then indicate
“previous mileage unknown”.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in
revolutions per minute (rpm).
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON or START, a chime
will come on for several seconds to remind
people to fasten their safety belts, unless the
driver’s safety belt is already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay
on for several seconds,
then it will ash for
several more.
This chime and light is repeated if the driver
remains unbuckled and the vehicle is in motion.
If the driver’s belt is already buckled, neither
the chime nor the light will come on.
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Charging System Light
The charging system
light will come on briey
when you turn on the
ignition, but the engine is
not running, as a check
to show you it is working.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it
stays on, or comes on while you are driving,
you may have a problem with the charging system.
It could indicate that you have problems with a
generator drive belt, or another electrical problem.
Have it checked right away. Driving while this
light is on could drain your battery.
When this light comes on, the Driver Information
Center (DIC) will also display the SERVICE
BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM message. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 239
for more information.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such
as the radio and air conditioner.
Voltmeter Gage
When the engine is not
running, but the ignition
is turned to ON, this
gage shows the
battery’s state of charge
in DC volts.
When the engine is running, this gage shows the
condition of the charging system. The vehicle’s
charging system regulates voltage based on
the state of charge of the battery. The voltmeter
may uctuate. This is normal. Readings between
the low and high warning zones indicate the
normal operating range.
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Readings in the low warning zone may occur
when a large number of electrical accessories are
operating in the vehicle and the engine is left
idling for an extended period.
If there is a problem with the battery charging
system, a SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING
SYSTEM message will appear in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) and/or the charging
system light will come on. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 239andCharging System
Light on page 216for more information.
However, readings in either warning zone may
indicate a possible problem in the electrical
system. Have the vehicle serviced as soon as
possible.Brake System Warning Light
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 warning light comes on, there is a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
This light should come on briey when you turn
the ignition key to ON. If it does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if
there is a problem.
This light may also come on due to low brake
uid. SeeBrakes on page 410for more
information.
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When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your
parking brake. The light will stay on if your parking
brake does not release fully. If it stays on after
your parking brake is fully released, it means you
have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. Make sure the parking
brake is fully released. 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. If the light is
still on, have the vehicle towed for service. See
Towing Your Vehicle on page 358.
{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.
Antilock Brake System Warning
Light
Your vehicle has the Antilock Brake
System (ABS).
This light will come on
when your engine is
started and may stay on
for several seconds.
This is normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to off. If the
light comes on and the chime sounds when
you are driving, pull your vehicle over to a safe
location and stop as soon as possible.
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Turn the ignition off. Then start the engine again
to reset the system. If the light still stays on,
or comes on again while you are driving, your
vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, you still have brakes,
but you do not have antilock brakes. If the regular
brake system warning light is also on, you do
not have antilock brakes and there is a problem
with your regular brakes. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 217earlier in this section.
The ABS warning light will come on briey
when you turn the ignition key to ON. This is
normal. If the light does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a
problem.StabiliTrak®Indicator Light
This warning light
should come on briey
when the engine is
started.
If the warning light does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a
problem. If it stays on, or comes on when you are
driving, there may be a problem with your
StabiliTrak
®system and your vehicle may need
service. When this warning light is on, the system
is off and will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
This light will also ash when the StabiliTrak
®
system is active.
If the StabiliTrak
®system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time
when the system is turned on, your vehicle needs
service. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 329
for more information.
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Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
The engine coolant
temperature warning
light will come on when
the engine has
overheated.
If this happens you should pull over and turn off
the engine as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 400for more information.
Notice:Driving with the engine coolant
temperature warning light on could cause your
vehicle to overheat. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 400. Your vehicle could be damaged,
and it might not be covered by your warranty.
Never drive with the engine coolant
temperature warning light on.
This light will also come on briey when starting
your vehicle. If it does not, have your vehicle
serviced.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
Under normal driving conditions the gage will
read 210°F (100 °C) or less. If the gage pointer is
near 260°F (125 °C), the engine is too hot.
It means that your engine coolant has overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle under
normal driving conditions, you should pull off the
road, stop your vehicle and turn off the engine
as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 400for more
information.
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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 make sure 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 can 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 a while, 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,
transmission, 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 can cause
this light to come on. Modications to these
systems could lead to costly repairs not
covered by your warranty. This could also
result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 377.
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This light should come on, as a check to show
you it is working, when the ignition is on and the
engine is not running. If the light does not
come on, have it repaired. This light will also
come on during a malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has
been detected. A misre increases vehicle
emissions and could damage the emission
control system on your vehicle. Diagnosis and
service might be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on your
vehicle. Diagnosis and service might be
required.
If the Light is Flashing
The following can prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount
of cargo being hauled as soon as it is
possible.
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park
the vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds, and restart the engine. If the light
remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady”
following. If the light is still ashing, follow the
previous steps and see your dealer/retailer
for service as soon as possible.
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If the Light Is On Steady
You might be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 381.
The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed. A
loose or missing fuel cap allows fuel to evaporate
into the atmosphere. A few driving trips with
the cap properly installed should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your vehicle’s electrical system might be
wet. The condition is usually corrected when the
electrical system dries out. A few driving trips
should turn the light off.Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 379. Poor fuel
quality causes the engine not to run as efficiently
as designed. You might notice this as stalling
after start-up, stalling when you put the vehicle into
gear, misring, hesitation on acceleration, or
stumbling on acceleration — these conditions
might go away once the engine is warmed up. This
will be detected by the system and cause the
light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at
least one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the
light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light
turn off, your dealer/retailer can check the vehicle.
Your dealer/retailer has the proper test equipment
and diagnostic tools to x any mechanical or
electrical problems that might have developed.
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