ABS SATURN RELAY 2007 Owners Manual

Convenience Net (With Hideaway
Rear Storage Bins)
Your vehicle may have a convenience net.
The convenience net is designed to help keep
small loads, from falling out of the vehicle
when the liftgate is opened. Install the convenience
net at the rear of your vehicle, inside the liftgate.
To use the convenience net, do the following:
1. Attach the upper loops to the posts on both
sides of the liftgate opening. The label on the
net should be in the upper left corner.
2. Attach the lower loops to the tabs at the rear
edge of the rear hideaway rear storage bins.
When not in use, it is recommended that you take
down the convenience net to extend the life of
the net and to help retain its elasticity, and to keep
the rear exit clear.
Convenience Net (Without Hideaway
Rear Storage Bins)
Your vehicle may have a convenience net.
The convenience net is designed to help keep
small loads, like grocery bags, from falling
over. Install the convenience net at the rear of
your vehicle, inside the liftgate.
To use the convenience net, do the following:
1. Attach the upper loops to the posts on both
sides of the liftgate opening. The label on
the net should be in the upper left corner.
2. Attach the lower hooks to the metal rings
on the oor.
3. Once you have loaded items into the net,
stretch the higher side of the net up and over
the top of the load to hold it rmly in place.
The convenience net has a maximum capacity of
100 lbs (45 kg). It is not designed to hold larger,
heavier loads. Store such loads on the oor of your
vehicle, as far forward as you can.
When not in use, it is recommended that you take
down the convenience net to extend the life of the
net and to help retain its elasticity, and to keep
the rear exit clear.
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Accessory Power Outlet(s)
Your vehicle is equipped with a front accessory
power outlet located near the oor on the
instrument panel. It can be used to plug in
electrical equipment such as a cellular telephone
or CB radio.
Pull the cover down to use the accessory power
outlet. When not in use, keep the cover on.
The rear accessory power outlet is located behind
the third row seats on the driver’s side behind
an access cover.
To remove the cover, pull the tab on the cover
and pull it off. To put the cover back on, line up the
tabs at the back of the cover and put the cover
in place. Push down the tab to secure the cover.
When not in use, always cover the rear
accessory power outlet with the protective cap.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on
for extended periods will drain the battery.
Always turn off electrical equipment when not
in use and do not plug in equipment that
exceeds the maximum amperage rating of
20 amperes.Certain electrical accessories may not be
compatible with the accessory power outlet and
could result in blown vehicle or adapter fuses.
If you experience a problem see your retailer for
additional information on accessory power outlets.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to
your vehicle may damage it or keep other
components from working as they should.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not use equipment exceeding
maximum amperage rating of 20 amperes.
Check with your retailer before adding
electrical equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to
follow the proper installation instructions included
with the equipment.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can
cause damage not covered by your warranty.
Do not hang any type of accessory or
accessory bracket from the plug because the
power outlets are designed for accessory
power plugs only.
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This light should come on briey when you turn
the ignition key to RUN. If it doesn’t come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if
there’s a problem.
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 227andTowing Your
Vehicle on page 396.
{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
(ABS) warning light.
This light should come on for a few seconds 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.
If this light stays on longer than normal after you
have started your engine, turn the ignition off. If the
light comes on and stays on when you are
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 are driving, the ABS needs service
and you do not have anti-lock brakes.
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RIGHT REAR TURN LAMP OUT
This message displays when the right rear turn
signal bulb needs to be replaced. SeeTaillamps,
Turn Signal, Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps
on page 458.
This message displays while the ignition is in RUN.
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this
message and to clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds
if it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the
condition still exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
SERVICE ABS SYSTEM
This message displays when the vehicle’s
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) is not functioning
properly. Have the ABS serviced by your
retailer as soon as possible.
The ABS warning light also appears on the
instrument panel cluster when this message
appears on the DIC. SeeAnti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light on page 227.
This message only displays while the ignition is in
RUN. Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge
this message and to clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds
if it has not been acknowledged when the engine
is turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds
if the message has been acknowledged, but
the condition still exists when the engine is
turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
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Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle............................................ 358
Defensive Driving...................................... 358
Drunken Driving........................................ 359
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 362
Braking...................................................... 362
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 363
Braking in Emergencies............................. 365
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 365
StabiliTrak
®System................................... 367
Steering.................................................... 369
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 372
Passing..................................................... 372
Loss of Control.......................................... 374
Driving at Night......................................... 375
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 376City Driving............................................... 380
Freeway Driving........................................ 381
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 382
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 383
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 384
Winter Driving........................................... 386
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow ................................. 390
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 391
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 391
Towing........................................................ 396
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 396
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 396
Level Control............................................. 398
Towing a Trailer........................................ 398
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
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Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by
heavy braking — rather than keeping pace with
traffic. This is a mistake. The brakes may not have
time to cool between hard stops. The brakes
will wear out much faster if you do a lot of heavy
braking. If you keep pace with the traffic and
allow realistic following distances, you will
eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you will still have
some power brake assist. But you will use it
when you brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Adding non-Saturn accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 412.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), an advanced electronic braking system
that will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive
away, ABS will check itself. You may hear a
momentary motor or clicking noise while this test is
going on, and you may even notice that your brake
pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem
with ABS, this warning
light will stay on.
SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning
Light on page 227.
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Let us say the road is wet and you are driving
safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of
you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking.
Here is what happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the brakes at each
wheel.ABS can change the brake pressure faster than
any driver could. The computer is programmed
to make the most of available tire and road
conditions. This can help you steer around the
obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving
updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
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Remember: ABS does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal
or always decrease stopping distance. If you get
too close to the vehicle in front of you, you will
not have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down rmly and let anti-lock work for you.
You may feel a slight brake pedal pulsation
or notice some noise, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a traction control system that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in
slippery road conditions. The system operates if it
senses that one or both of the front wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction. When
this happens, the system brakes the spinning
wheel(s) and/or reduces engine power to
limit wheel spin.
The TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE message will
come on in the Driver Information Center (DIC)
when the traction control system is limiting wheel
spin. You may feel or hear the system working,
but this is normal.
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While driving on a surface with reduced traction,
try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by
shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the
surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding.
Learn to recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow on the road to
make a mirrored surface — and slow down when
you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
helps avoid only the braking skid.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to
be impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night
vision problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust the inside rearview mirror to reduce
the glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, you may need
to slow down and keep more space between
you and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads.
Your vehicle’s headlamps can light up only so
much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe
place and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But as we get older these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver may require at least twice as
much light to see the same thing at night as a
20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your
night vision. For example, if you spend the
day in bright sunshine you are wise to wear
sunglasses. Your eyes will have less trouble
adjusting to night. But if you are driving, do not
wear sunglasses at night. They may cut down on
glare from headlamps, but they also make a
lot of things invisible.
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The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) improves your
vehicle’s stability when you make a hard stop
on a slippery road. Even though you have ABS,
you will want to begin stopping sooner than
you would on dry pavement. SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) on page 363.
Allow greater following distance on any
slippery road.
Watch for slippery spots. The road might be
ne until you hit a spot that is covered with
ice. On an otherwise clear road, ice patches
may appear in shaded areas where the
sun cannot reach, such as around clumps
of trees, behind buildings, or under bridges.
Sometimes the surface of a curve or an
overpass may remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. If you see a
patch of ice ahead of you, brake before you
are on it. Try not to brake while you are
actually on the ice, and avoid sudden steering
maneuvers.
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard
If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in
a serious situation. You should probably stay
with your vehicle unless you know for sure that you
are near help and you can hike through the
snow. Here are some things to do to summon
help and keep yourself and your passengers safe:
Turn on your hazard ashers.
Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert police
that you have been stopped by the snow.
Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around
you. If you do not have blankets or extra
clothing, make body insulators from
newspapers, burlap bags, rags, oor
mats — anything you can wrap around yourself
or tuck under your clothing to keep warm.
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