brakes SATURN RELAY 2006 Owners Manual

Automatic Transaxle Operation
Maximum engine speed is limited when the vehicle is in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N), to protect driveline
components from improper operation.
There are several different positions for the shift lever.
PARK (P):This gear position locks the front wheels.
It is the best position to use when you start the engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting
the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle
shift lock control system. Fully apply the regular brakes
before shifting from PARK (P) when the ignition key
is in RUN. A click from a solenoid may be heard,
indicating that the shift lock control system is operating
properly.If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever — push the shift lever all the way
into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the desired gear. See
Shifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-41.
{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) on
page 2-40. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-40.
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The vehicle will shift down to the next gear and have
more power.
Notice:If your vehicle seems to start up rather
slowly or not shift gears when you go faster, and
you continue to drive your vehicle that way, you
could damage the transaxle. Have your vehicle
serviced right away. You can drive in SECOND (2)
when you are driving less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) for higher speeds
until then.
Warm-Up Shift
Your vehicle has a computer controlled transaxle
designed to warm up the engine faster when the outside
temperature is 35°F (2°C) or colder. You may notice
that the transaxle will shift at a higher vehicle speed until
the engine is warmed up. This is a normal condition
designed to provide heat to the passenger compartment
and defrost the windows more quickly. SeeClimate
Control System on page 3-26for more information.
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal driving,
but it offers more power and lower fuel economy than
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):
When driving on hilly, winding roads
When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears
When going down a steep hill
SECOND (2):This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy than THIRD (3). You can use
SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control the vehicles
speed while going down steep mountain roads, but then
you would also want to use the brakes off and on.
Notice:Driving in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km) or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h)
may damage the transaxle. Also, shifting into
SECOND (2) at speeds above 65 mph (105 km/h) can
cause damage. Drive in THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) instead of SECOND (2).
Notice:If your vehicle seems to start up rather
slowly, or if it seems not to shift gears as you go
faster, something may be wrong with a transaxle
system sensor. If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged. So, if this happens, have
your vehicle serviced right away. Until then, you can
use SECOND (2) when you are driving less than
35 mph (55 km/h) and THIRD (3) for higher speeds.
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FIRST (1):This position gives you even more power
but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can use
it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle will
not downshift into rst gear until the vehicle is going
slow 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.
Parking Brake
The parking brake is
located under the
instrument panel on the
driver’s side of the vehicle.To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot and push down on the parking
brake pedal with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will
come on. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-40.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot while you push down on
the parking brake pedal with your left foot. When you
lift your left foot from the parking brake pedal, it will pop
up to the released position.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-40.
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Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
vehicle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the vehicle
may put too much force on the parking pawl in the
transaxle. You may nd it difficult to pull the shift lever
out of PARK (P). This is called torque lock. To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift
into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s
seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into Park (P)
on page 2-40.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system which locks the shift lever in PARK (P)
when the ignition is in the LOCK position. In addition,
you must fully apply your regular brakes before you can
shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in RUN. See
Automatic Transaxle Operation on page 2-36.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other
things that can burn.
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Cruise control allows a speed of approximately 25 mph
(40 km/h) or more to be maintained without keeping
your foot on the accelerator. This is helpful on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).
When the brakes are applied, the cruise control
shuts off.
If the vehicle is in cruise control and the Traction
Control System (TCS) begins to limit wheel spin, the
cruise control will automatically disengage. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-9. When road
conditions allow, the cruise control can be used again.Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.
1. Push the button at the end of the cruise control
lever to turn the cruise control on.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed.
3. Push down on the cruise control lever and release
it. This will set the speed in cruise control.
4. Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal.
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This symbol will appear on
the instrument panel
cluster when the cruise
control is set.
This symbol will disappear when the brakes are applied
or the cruise control is cancelled. It will reappear
when the set cruise speed is resumed.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a desired speed and then
the brakes are applied, the cruise control shuts off.
But the cruise control does not need to be reset.
Once the vehicle is traveling approximately 25 mph
(40 km/h) or more, the cruise control lever can be
pushed upward toward the plus (resume/accelerate)
position to return to the preset cruise speed.
The vehicle will return to and stay at the preset cruise
speed. If the cruise control lever is pushed up and
held toward the plus (resume/accelerate) position, the
vehicle speed will increase until the lever is released or
the brakes are applied. Do not continue to hold the
lever in the plus (resume/accelerate) position, unless a
faster speed is desired.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Push up on the cruise control lever toward the plus
(resume/accelerate) position, then release the lever
and take your foot off the accelerator pedal. The
vehicle will now cruise at the higher speed.
Push up and hold the cruise control lever toward
the plus (resume/accelerate) position until the
vehicle reaches the desired speed. Then release
the cruise control lever. To increase the vehicle’s
speed in very small amounts, push up briey on the
cruise control lever and release it. Each time this is
done, the vehicle will speed up approximately
one mph (1.6 km/h).
The acceleration feature will only work after the cruise
control speed has been set by pushing the cruise control
lever down to the set position.
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Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to reduce the vehicle’s speed while
using cruise control:
Push the cruise control lever downward toward the
minus (set/coast/decelerate) position until a lower
speed is reached, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, push the
cruise control lever downward toward the minus
(set/coast/decelerate) position briey. Each time this
is done, the vehicle will slow down approximately
one mph (1.6 km/h).
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle’s
speed. When you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle will slow down to the cruise control speed set
earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work on hills depends
upon the vehicle’s speed, its load, and the steepness of
the hills. When going up steep hills, the accelerator pedal
might have to be used in order to maintain the vehicle’s
speed. When going downhill, the brakes might have to be
applied, or the transaxle might have to be shifted to a
lower gear to keep the vehicle’s speed down. Doing
either of these things will take the vehicle out of cruise. It
may be better not to use the cruise control if the brakes
constantly have to be applied, or the vehicle continuously
needs to be shifted to a lower gear.
Cancelling Cruise Control
To cancel a cruise control session, pull the cruise
control lever forward, or step lightly on the brake pedal.
Doing either of these things will only end the current
cruise control session, but the set speed will be retained
in memory.
Push the button at the end of the cruise control lever to
turn the system off.
Erasing Speed Memory
When the cruise control or the ignition is turned off, the
cruise control set speed memory is erased.
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How the System Works
Unless disabled, the URPA will turn on automatically
when the shift lever is moved into REVERSE (R). When
the system turns on, the three lights on the display
will illuminate for one and a half seconds to let you know
that the system is working. If your vehicle is moving in
REVERSE (R) at a speed greater than 3 mph (5 km/h),
the red light will ash to remind you that the system
does not work at speed greater than 3 mph (5 km/h).
If an object is detected at a REVERSE (R) speed of less
than 3 mph (5 km/h), one of the following will occur:
Description English Metric
amber light 5 ft 1.5 m
amber/amber lights 40 in 1.0 m
amber/amber/red lights &
continuous chime20 in 0.5 m
amber/amber/red lights
ashing & continuous
chime1 ft 0.3 m
A chime will sound the rst time an object is detected
between 20 inches (0.5 m) and 5 feet (1.5 m) away.
URPA cannot detect objects that are above liftgate level.
In order for the rear sensors to recognize an object, it
must be within detection range behind the vehicle.
When the System Does Not Seem to Work
Properly
The light may ash red when the vehicle is in
REVERSE (R) if the ultrasonic sensors are not kept
clean. So be sure to keep your rear bumper free of mud,
dirt, snow, ice and slush. Other conditions that may affect
system performance include things like the vibrations
from a jackhammer or the compression of air brakes on a
very large truck. If after cleaning the rear bumper and
then driving forward at least 15 mph (25 km/h), the
display continues to ash red, see your dealer.
If a trailer was attached to your vehicle, or a bicycle or
an object was on the back of, or hanging out of your
liftgate during your last drive cycle, the light may
also ash red. The light will continue to ash whenever
in REVERSE (R) until your vehicle is driven forward
at least 15 mph (25 km/h) without any obstructions
behind the vehicle.
For cleaning instructions, seeWashing Your Vehicle on
page 5-91.
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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. If the light is still on,
have the vehicle towed for service. SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light on page 3-41andTowing Your
Vehicle on page 4-38.
{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.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light
Your vehicle has an
anti-lock brake system
warning light. The anti-lock
brake system warning light
should come on for a few
seconds when you turn the
ignition key to RUN.
If the anti-lock brake system warning light stays on
longer than normal after you’ve started your engine, turn
the ignition off. Or, if the light comes on and stays on
when you’re driving, stop as soon as possible and 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’re driving, the anti-lock brake system needs
service and you do not have anti-lock brakes.
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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Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
Your vehicle is equipped
with a traction control
system warning light.
The traction control system warning light may come on
for the following reasons:
If you turn the system off by pressing the traction
control button. To turn the system back on, press
the button again. The warning light should go
off. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9
for more information.
If there’s a brake system problem that is specically
related to traction control, the traction control
system will turn off and the warning light will come
on. If your brakes begin to overheat, the traction
control system will turn off and the warning light will
come on until your brakes cool down.
If the traction control system is affected by an
engine-related problem, the system will turn off and
the warning light will come on.If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the
red gage lamp turns on, your 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 5-26.
United StatesCanada
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