brakes SATURN VUE 2007 Owner's Manual

{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They
may not work as well in a quick stop and
may cause pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of
water or a car wash, apply the brake pedal
lightly until the brakes work normally.
Driving too fast through large water puddles or
even going through some car washes can cause
problems, too. The water may affect your brakes.
Try to avoid puddles. But if you cannot,
try to slow down before you hit them.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can
build up under your tires that they can actually ride
on the water. This can happen if the road is wet
enough and you are going fast enough. When your
vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or no contact
with the road.
Hydroplaning does not happen often. But it can
if your tires do not have much tread or if the
pressure in one or more is low. It can happen if
a lot of water is standing on the road. If you
can see reections from trees, telephone poles,
or other vehicles, and raindrops dimple the water’s
surface, there could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds.
There just is not a hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow down
when it is raining.
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If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you are
planning to visit there, here are some tips that
can make your trips safer and more enjoyable.
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check
all uid levels and also the brakes, tires,
cooling system, and transaxle. These parts
can work hard on mountain roads.
{CAUTION:
If you do not shift down, the brakes could
get so hot that they would not work well.
You would then have poor braking or
even none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine assist
the brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with
the ignition off is dangerous. The brakes
will have to do all the work of slowing
down. They could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would then have
poor braking or even none going down a
hill. You could crash. Always have the
engine running and your vehicle in gear
when you go downhill.
Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of
the slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when
you go down a steep or long hill.
Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift
down to a lower gear. The lower gears help
cool your engine and transaxle, and you can
climb the hill better.
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Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you do not use the correct equipment
and drive properly, you can lose control
when you pull a trailer. For example, if the
trailer is too heavy, the brakes may not
work well — or even at all. You and your
passengers could be seriously injured.
You may also damage your vehicle; the
resulting repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Pull a trailer only if you
have followed all the steps in this section.
Ask your dealer/retailer for advice and
information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.
Notice:Pulling a trailer improperly can
damage your vehicle and result in costly repairs
not covered by your warranty. To pull a trailer
correctly, follow the advice in this part and see
your dealer/retailer for important information
about towing a trailer with your vehicle.Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with
the proper trailer towing equipment. To identify
the trailering capacity of your vehicle, you should
read the information in “Weight of the Trailer”
that appears later in this section. Trailering
is different than just driving your vehicle
by itself. Trailering means changes in handling,
acceleration, braking, durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety
rules. Many of these are important for your safety
and that of your passengers. So please read
this section carefully before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine,
transmission, rear axle, wheel assemblies and tires
are forced to work harder against the drag of
the added weight. The engine is required
to operate at relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more,
the trailer adds considerably to wind resistance,
increasing the pulling requirements.
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Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between
your vehicle and your trailer. Cross the safety
chains under the tongue of the trailer so that the
tongue will not drop to the road if it becomes
separated from the hitch. Instructions about safety
chains may be provided by the hitch manufacturer
or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching
safety chains and do not attach them to the
bumper. Always leave just enough slack so you
can turn with your rig. And, never allow safety
chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, don’t try to
tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system.
If you do, both brake systems won’t work well,
or at all.
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the
trailer brakes, so you’ll be able to install, adjust
and maintain them properly.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of
experience. Before setting out for the open road,
you’ll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint
yourself with the feel of handling and braking with
the added weight of the trailer. And always
keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is
now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer
has electric brakes, start your vehicle and
trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake
controller by hand to be sure the brakes are
working. This lets you check your electrical
connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure
that the load is secure, and that the lamps and any
trailer brakes are still working.
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Thus, you may think drivers behind you are seeing
your signal when they are not. It’s important to
check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.
Driving on Grades
Notice:Do not tow on steep continuous
grades exceeding 6 miles (9.6 km). Extended,
higher than normal engine and transmission
temperatures may result and damage your
vehicle. Frequent stops are very important to
allow the engine and transmission to cool.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you
start down a long or steep downgrade. If you
don’t shift down, you might have to use your
brakes so much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce
your speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce
the possibility of the engine and the transmission
overheating. If your engine does overheat,
seeEngine Overheating on page 334.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle,
with a trailer attached, on a hill.
If something goes wrong, your rig could
start to move. People can be injured, and
both your vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill,
here’s how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) for an automatic transmission, or
into gear for a manual transmission.
When parking uphill, turn your wheels away
from the curb. When parking downhill,
turn your wheels into the curb.
2. Have someone place chocks behind the
trailer wheels.
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3. When the chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake and shift into PARK (P) for an
automatic transmission or REVERSE (R) for
a manual transmission.
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal
down while you:
start your engine,
shift into a gear, and
release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the
chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store
the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when
you’re pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 420for more information. Things that
are especially important in trailer operation are
automatic transmission uid (don’t overll), engine
oil, axle lubricant, drive belt, cooling system and
brake system. Each of these is covered in this
manual, and the Index will help you nd them
quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to
review this information before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and
bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat
during severe operating conditions. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 334.
Changing a Tire When Trailer Towing
If you get a at tire while towing a trailer, be
sure to secure the trailer and disconnect it from
the vehicle before changing the tire.
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Service........................................................ 304
Accessories and Modications................... 304
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 305
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 305
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 306
Fuel............................................................. 306
Gasoline Octane........................................ 306
Gasoline Specications.............................. 306
California Fuel........................................... 307
Additives................................................... 307
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 308
Filling the Tank......................................... 309
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 311
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 312
Hood Release........................................... 313
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 314
Engine Oil................................................. 318
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 323
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 324
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(2.2L L4 Engine).................................... 327Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(3.5L V6 Engine).................................... 328
Manual Transaxle Fluid............................. 330
Hydraulic Clutch........................................ 331
Engine Coolant.......................................... 331
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 334
Engine Overheating................................... 334
Cooling System......................................... 336
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 341
Brakes...................................................... 343
Battery...................................................... 347
Jump Starting............................................ 348
All-Wheel Drive........................................... 353
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 355
Bulb Replacement....................................... 358
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 358
Headlamps................................................ 358
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps....... 361
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) ... 362
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps...................................... 363
License Plate Lamp................................... 364
Replacement Bulbs................................... 364
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
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Service
Your Saturn retailer knows your vehicle best and
wants you to be happy with it. We hope you
will go to your retailer for all your service needs.
You will get genuine Saturn parts and
Saturn-trained and supported service people.
We hope you will want to keep your Saturn vehicle
all Saturn.
Genuine Saturn parts have one of these marks.
Accessories and Modications
When you add non-Saturn accessories to your
vehicle they can affect your vehicle’s performance
and safety, including such things as, airbags,
braking, stability, ride and handling, emissions
systems, aerodynamics, durability, and electronic
systems like anti-lock brakes, traction control,
and stability control. Some of these accessories
may even cause malfunction or damage not
covered by warranty.
Saturn accessories are designed to complement
and function with other systems on your vehicle.
Your Saturn retailer can accessorize your vehicle
using genuine Saturn accessories. When you go to
your Saturn retailer and ask for Saturn accessories,
you will know that Saturn-trained and supported
service technicians will perform the work using
genuine Saturn accessories.
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A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 324.
B. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 318.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 318.
D. Remote Negative (−) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 348.
E. Brake/Clutch Cylinder Fluid. SeeBrakes on
page 343andHydraulic Clutch on page 331.F. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 411.
G. Battery. SeeBattery on page 347.
H. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 348.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. See “Checking
Coolant” underEngine Coolant on page 331.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 341.
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A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 324.
B. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 318.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap (Out of View). See “When
to Add Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 318.
D. Remote Negative (−) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 348.
E. Brake Fluid Reservoir. SeeBrakes on
page 343.F. Battery. SeeBattery on page 347.
G. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 411.
H. Remote Positive (+) Terminal (Out of View).
SeeJump Starting on page 348.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. See “Checking
Coolant” underEngine Coolant on page 331.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 341.
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