service indicator SATURN VUE 2008 Owners Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Head Restraints
......................................... 1-2
Front Seats
............................................... 1-4
Rear Seats
..............................................1-12
Safety Belts
.............................................1-14
Child Restraints
.......................................1-33
Airbag System
.........................................1-55
Restraint System Check
............................1-72
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-9
Windows
.................................................2-12
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-14
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-18
Mirrors
....................................................2-33
OnStar
®System
......................................2-35
Universal Home Remote System
................2-38
Storage Areas
.........................................2-43
Sunroof
..................................................2-49
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-19
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-30
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-49
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-52Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-41
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
All-Wheel Drive
........................................5-41
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-43
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-46
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-50
Tires
......................................................5-51
Appearance Care
.....................................5-87
Vehicle Identication
.................................5-95
Electrical System
......................................5-96
Capacities and Specications
...................5-104
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-14
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy
...........7-16
Index................................................................ 1
2008 Saturn VUE Owner ManualM
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In many crashes severe enough to inate the airbag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur
from the right front passenger airbag.
Airbags are designed to inate only once.
After an airbag inates, you will need some
new parts for the airbag system. If you do not
get them, the airbag system will not be there
to help protect you in another crash. A new
system will include airbag modules and possibly
other parts. The service manual for your vehicle
covers the need to replace other parts.
Your vehicle has a crash sensing and diagnostic
module which records information after a crash.
SeeVehicle Data Recording and Privacy on
page 7-16andEvent Data Recorders on page 7-16.
Let only qualied technicians work on the airbag
systems. Improper service can mean that an
airbag system will not work properly. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
Passenger Sensing System
If your vehicle has a right front passenger seat,
your vehicle has a passenger sensing system for
the right front passenger position. The passenger
airbag status indicator will be visible on the
instrument panel when you start your vehicle.
The words ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and off,
will be visible during the system check. When the
system check is complete, either the word ON or the
word OFF, or the symbol for on or off, will be visible.
SeePassenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-34.
The passenger sensing system will turn off the right
front passenger frontal airbag under certain conditions.
The driver airbags are not part of the passenger
sensing system.United States
Canada
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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.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a few
seconds when the engine is started. If the light does not
come on then, have it xed so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
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).United States
Canada
3-34
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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 3-33for more on this, including
important safety information.
Charging System Light
This light will come on
briey when the ignition is
turned on, and the engine
is not running, as a check
to show you it is working.
It should go out when the engine is started. If it stays
on, or comes on while you are driving, you may have a
problem with the electrical charging system. Have it
checked by your dealer/retailer. Driving while this light is
on could drain your battery. 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 to
help reduce the drain on the battery.
3-36
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Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) monitors operation of
the fuel, ignition, and emission control systems. It makes
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 an OBD II problem
and service is required.
Malfunctions often are 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 5-3.
This light comes on, as a check to show it is working,
when the ignition is turned ON/RUN but the engine is not
running. If the light does not come on, have it repaired.
This light also comes 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.
3-41
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Door Ajar Light
This light will come on
when a door is open.
Before driving, check that
all doors are properly
closed.
Service Vehicle Soon Light
This light will come on if a
condition exists that may
require the vehicle to
be taken in for service.
If the light comes on, take your vehicle to your
dealer/retailer for service as soon as possible.
Fuel Gage
When the ignition is on, the fuel gage tells you about
how much fuel is left in the tank.
When the indicator nears empty, the low fuel light will
come on. There is still a little fuel left, but you should get
more soon. SeeLow Fuel Warning Light on page 3-48
for more information.
United StatesCanada
3-47
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Driver Information Center (DIC)
Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC).
All information appears in the DIC display located in the
instrument panel cluster.
The DIC comes on when the ignition is on. After a short
delay, the DIC displays the information that was last
displayed before the engine was turned off.
The DIC displays the odometer, trip odometers, outside
air temperature, compass information, and shift lever
position indicator.
To change the outside air temperature units from
English to metric, turn the reset stem on the instrument
panel cluster clockwise or counterclockwise until the
unit changes. This also changes the units displayed
in the navigation system, if your vehicle has this feature.
If there is a problem with the system that controls the
temperature display, the numbers will be replaced with
dashes. If this occurs, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If an abnormal temperature reading is
displayed for an extended period of time, consult your
dealer/retailer. Under certain circumstances, especially
when the engine is idling, a delay updating the
temperature display is normal.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation (Base) on
page 2-22orAutomatic Transmission Operation
(Uplevel) on page 2-25for more information.
DIC Operation and Displays
The Driver Information Center (DIC) has different modes
which can be accessed by pressing the reset stem on
the instrument panel cluster. These modes are explained
in the following section. To scroll through the available
functions, press and release the reset stem.
Odometer
Press and release the reset stem until the odometer
appears on the DIC. The odometer shows the total
distance the vehicle has been driven in either miles
for the United States or kilometers for Canada.
Trip Odometer
Press and release the reset stem until TRIP A or
TRIP B appears on the DIC. The trip odometer shows
the current distance traveled since the last reset of
the trip odometer in either miles for the United States
or kilometers for Canada.
To reset the trip odometer, press and hold the reset
stem until the display returns to zero.
3-49
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Gasoline Octane
If your vehicle has the 2.4L L4 engine (VIN Code P) or
the 3.5L V6 engine (VIN Code N), use regular unleaded
gasoline with a posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the
octane rating is less than 87, you might notice an audible
knocking noise when you drive, commonly referred to as
spark knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87
octane or higher as soon as possible. If you are using
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you hear heavy
knocking, the engine needs service.
If your vehicle has the 3.6L V6 engine (VIN Code 7),
use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 87 or higher. For best performance or trailer
towing, you could choose to use middle grade 89 octane
unleaded gasoline. If the octane rating is less than 87,
you might notice an audible knocking noise when you
drive, commonly referred to as spark knock. If this occurs,
use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher and you hear heavy knocking, the engine needs
service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM specication
D 4814 in the United States or CAN/CGSB-3.5 or 3.511 in
Canada. Some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend against the use of
gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives on page 5-7
for additional information.
California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specications. See the underhood
emission control label. If this fuel is not available
in states adopting California emissions standards,
your vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specications, but emission control system
performance might be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp could turn on and your vehicle might
fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 3-41. If this occurs, return to your authorized
dealer/retailer for diagnosis. If it is determined that
the condition is caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
5-6
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Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing
the emission control system to work properly. In most
cases, you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel injectors
and intake valves clean, or if your vehicle experiences
problems due to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline
that is advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. Also,
your dealer/retailer has additives that will help correct and
prevent most deposit-related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be available in
your area. We recommend that you use these gasolines,
if they comply with the specications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels containing
more than 10% ethanol must not be used in vehicles that
were not designed for those fuels.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under your
warranty.Some gasolines that are not reformulated for
low emissions can contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you buy
gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT. We recommend
against the use of such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT
can reduce the life of spark plugs and the performance
of the emission control system could be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp might turn on. If this occurs,
return to your dealer/retailer for service.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel might be hard
to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
5-7
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Brake Wear
Your vehicle has disc brakes. Disc brake pads have
built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning
sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads
are needed. The sound can come and go or be heard
all the time your vehicle is moving, except when you
are pushing on the brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon the brakes will not work well. That could
lead to an accident. When you hear the brake
wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong
with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts
in the proper sequence to torque specications
inCapacities and Specifications on page 5-104.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake pedal does not
return to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign that brake service
might be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, the brakes adjust for wear.
5-35
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