SATURN SKY 2008 Owners Manual

Climate Controls
Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation of the vehicle can
be controlled with this system. Set the control
between modes to get a combination of the two modes.
Temperature:Turn the left knob on the control panel
to adjust the temperature of the air in the vehicle.
Turn the knob clockwise or counterclockwise to increase
or decrease the temperature.
#(Air Conditioning):Press the left knob on the
control panel to turn the air conditioning system
on or off. An indicator light on the button comes on
to show that the air conditioning is activated.
When the system is on, this setting cools and
dehumidies the air entering the vehicle.
The air conditioning will not function if the fan is turned
off. If air conditioning is selected with fan off, the
indicator light ashes three times and then turns off.
There could be a slight change in engine performance
when the air conditioning compressor turns off and turns
on again. This is normal. The system is designed to
make adjustments to help with fuel economy while still
maintaining the selected temperature.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so a small amount of water can drip underneath
your vehicle while idling or after turning off the engine.
This is normal.
Air conditioning does not operate at temperature
below 40°F (4°C). In temperatures above 40°F (4°C),
the air conditioning cannot be turned off in defrost,
oor/defog, and recirculation modes because it helps to
remove moisture from the vehicle. It also helps to
keep the windows clear.
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On hot days, open the windows to let the hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps reduce the time
it takes for the vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select recirculation mode.
3. Select the air conditioning to on.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
5. Select the highest fan speed.
Using these settings together for long periods of time
can cause the air inside of the vehicle to become too dry.
To prevent this from happening, after the air in the vehicle
has cooled, turn the recirculation mode off.
9(Fan):Turn the center knob on the control panel to
control the fan speed. Turn the knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
9(Off):Turn the center knob to this position to turn
the fan off.
?(Recirculation):Press the center knob on the
control panel to recirculate air inside the vehicle
and prevent outside air from coming in. It can be used
to prevent outside odors from entering the vehicle
and cool the air inside the vehicle more quickly.Press this button to turn the recirculation mode on or
off. An indicator light on the button comes on while the
recirculation mode is activated.
Recirculation is available in the bi-level and vent modes.
If recirculation is selected in either oor/heat, oor/defog,
or defrost mode, the indicator light ashes three times
indicating it is not available in that mode.
The right knob on the control panel is used to direct the
airow inside the vehicle. Turn the knob to select one
of the following modes:
H(Vent):Turn the right knob on the control panel to
this mode to direct air to the instrument panel outlets.
\(Bi-Level):Turn the right knob on the control panel
to this mode to direct air to the instrument panel, oor,
defroster and side window outlets. Cooler air is directed
to the upper outlets and warmer air to the oor outlets.
[(Floor):Turn the right knob on the control panel to
this mode to direct most of the air to the oor outlets.
The remaining air is directed to the side window
and defroster outlets. If low or no airow is on the
passenger side, make sure that the carpet covering is
tucked under oor outlets.
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Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass.
This can be minimized if the climate control system is
used properly. There are two modes to clear fog or frost
from your windshield and side windows. Use the defog
mode to clear the windows of fog or moisture and warm
the passengers. Use the defrost mode to remove fog or
frost from the windshield more quickly. For best results,
clear all snow and ice from the windshield before
defrosting. Use a temperature setting that provides warm
air. The warmer the air the quicker the windows clear.
To prevent fogging on the inside of the windows in
modes other than oor/defog and defrost, make sure
the air conditioning compressor is on and recirculation
mode is off.
/(Floor/Defog):Turn the right knob on the control
panel to this mode to direct the air to the windshield, the
side window outlets, and to the oor outlets. When this
mode is selected, the system runs the air conditioning
compressor unless the outside temperature is near
freezing or below.
0(Defrost):Turn the right knob on the control panel to
this mode to direct most of the air to the windshield, and
the side window outlets. When this mode is selected, the
system runs the air conditioning compressor unless the
outside temperature is near or below freezing.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window. Be sure to
clear as much snow from the rear window as possible.
An indicator light on the knob comes on while the
rear window defogger is activated. The rear window
defogger turns off about fteen minutes after the knob is
pressed. If turned on again, the defogger will run for
about seven and one-half minutes before turning off.
If vehicle speed is greater than 50 mph (80 kph) and the
rear defogger is active, it will remain on as long as
the speed is greater than 50 mph (80 kph). The defogger
can also be turned off by pressing the knob again or
by turning off the engine.
Do not use the rear defogger when the convertible top
is down.
=(Rear Defogger):Press the right knob on the
control panel to turn the rear window defogger on or off.
Do not use the rear defogger when the convertible
top is down.
Notice:Do not use anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage
the warming grid, and the repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Do not attach a temporary
vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything similar
to the defogger grid.
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Outlet Adjustment
Use the air outlets located in the center and on the side
of your instrument panel to direct the airow.
Use the tab located on the air outlets to change the
direction of the airow.
Your vehicle has ow through ventilation that allows
outside air to be forced through your ventilation system
when your vehicle is moving. Outside air will enter
the vehicle when the air conditioning fan is running.
Flow through ventilation can be stopped in vent
and bi-level modes by pressing the recirculation button.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-Saturn approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of your vehicle more
effectively.
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages on
your vehicle.
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 get to know your vehicle’s warning lights
and gages. They can be a big help.
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Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You will know
how fast you are going, about how much fuel is left in the tank, and many other things you will need to drive safely
and economically.
United States Base Cluster shown, Canada and Uplevel similar
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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 vehicle’s odometer works together with the Driver
Information Center (DIC). A Trip A and Trip B odometer
can be set. See “Trip Information” underDIC Operation
and Displays on page 3-38.
The odometer mileage can be checked without the
vehicle running. Open the driver’s door and the mileage
will be displayed briey.
If your vehicle ever needs a new odometer installed, the
new one will be set to the correct mileage total of the
old odometer.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
Notice:If you operate the engine with the
tachometer in the shaded warning area,
your vehicle could be damaged, and the damages
would not be covered by your warranty. Do not
operate the engine with the tachometer in the
shaded warning area.
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Safety Belt Reminders
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the engine is started, 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.
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light
Several seconds after the engine is started, a chime
will sound for several seconds to remind the front
passenger to buckle their safety belt. This would only
occur if the passenger airbag is enabled. SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 1-43for more information.
The passenger safety belt light, located on the
instrument panel, will come on and stay on for
several seconds and then ash for several more.
This chime and light are
repeated if the passenger
remains unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion.
If the passenger’s safety belt is buckled, neither the
chime nor the light will come on.
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Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel cluster, which shows the airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag’s electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. The system check includes the airbag
sensor, the pretensioners, the airbag modules, the
wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the airbag system, seeAirbag
System on page 1-36.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash for
a few seconds. The light
should go out and the
system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start
the vehicle or comes on when you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the airbag system
may not be working properly. The airbags in
your vehicle may not inate in a crash, or they
could even inate without a crash. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away if the airbag
readiness light stays on after you start your
vehicle.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a few seconds
when you start the engine. If the light does not come on
then, have it xed immediately. If there is a problem with
the airbag system, an airbag Driver Information Center
(DIC) message may also come on. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-41for more information.
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Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
Your vehicle has the passenger sensing system.
Your instrument panel has a passenger airbag status
indicator.
When you start the vehicle, the passenger airbag status
indicator will light ON and OFF, or the symbol for on
and off, for several seconds as a system check. Then,
after several more seconds, the status indicator will
light either ON or OFF, or either the on or off symbol to
let you know the status of the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag.If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on the passenger
airbag status indicator, it means that the right front
passenger’s frontal airbag is enabled (may inate).
{CAUTION:
If the on indicator comes on when you have a
rear-facing child restraint installed in the right
front passenger’s seat, it means that the
passenger sensing system has not turned off
the passenger’s frontal airbag. A child in a
rear-facing child restraint can be seriously
injured or killed if the right front passenger’s
airbag inates. This is because the back of the
rear-facing child restraint would be very close
to the inating airbag. Do not use a rear-facing
child restraint in the right front passenger’s
seat if the airbag is turned on. United States
Canada
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{CAUTION:
Even though the passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag if the system detects a
rear-facing child restraint, no system is
fail-safe, and no one can guarantee that an
airbag will not deploy under some unusual
circumstance, even though it is turned off.
We recommend that rear-facing child
restraints be secured in the rear seat,
even if the airbag is off.
If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the airbag
status indicator, it means that the passenger sensing
system has turned off the right front passenger’s frontal
airbag. SeePassenger Sensing System on page 1-43
for more on this, including important safety information.If, after several seconds, both status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there may be
a problem with the lights or the passenger sensing
system. See your dealer/retailer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on,
it means that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. If this ever happens, have
the vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the protection
of the airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-24for more on this, including
important safety information.
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