check oil SATURN VUE 2009 User Guide

When you open the hood on the 3.5L V6 engine (3.6L V6 similar), you will
see the following:
A. SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 5-17.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View). See Power
Steering Fluid on page 5-26 .C. Electric Engine Cooling Fan (Out
of View). See Cooling System
on page 5-19.
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil” under Engine
Oil on page 5-14. E. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View).
See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 5-14.
F. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking the Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid
on page 5-18.
G. Brake Fluid Reservoir (Out of View). See Brakes on page 5-28 .
H. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. See Cooling System on
page 5-19.
I. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting on page 5-31 .
J. See Underhood Fuse Block
on page 5-82.
K. See Battery on page 5-30 .
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-27 .
Service and Appearance Care 5-13
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Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the
engine oil level at each fuel ll. In
order to get an accurate reading, the
oil must be warm and the vehicle
must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a
yellow loop. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for the location of the
engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the
oil several minutes to drain back
into the oil pan. If this is not
done, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. Pull the dipstick and clean it with
a paper towel or cloth, then push
it back in all the way. Remove
it again, keeping the tip down and
check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the MIN (minimum)
mark, add at least one quart/liter
of the recommended oil. This
section explains what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, seeCapacities and
Specifications on page 5-86.Notice:Do not add too much
oil. If the engine has so much oil
that the oil level gets above the
upper mark that shows the proper
operating range, the engine could
be damaged.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for the location of
the engine oil ll cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the
way back in when through.
5-14 Service and Appearance Care
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Engine Oil Additives / Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil.
The recommended oils with the
starburst symbol that meet GM
Standard GM6094M are all that is
needed for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine oil system ushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and lter. This is based
on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished, it
indicates that an oil change is
necessary. A change engine oil light
comes on. SeeChange Engine Oil
Light on page 3-38. Change the oil
as soon as possible within the next
600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible
that, if driving under the best
conditions, the oil life system might
not indicate that an oil change is
necessary for over a year. However,
the engine oil and lter must be
changed at least once a year and at
this time the system must be reset.
Your dealer/retailer has trained
service people who will perform this
work using genuine parts and reset
the system. It is also important to
check the oil regularly and keep it at
the proper level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
The Engine Oil Life System
calculates when to change the
engine oil and lter based on vehicle
use. Whenever the oil is changed,
reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required.
If a situation occurs where the oil is
changed prior to a change engine
oil light being turned on, reset the
system.
After changing the engine oil, reset
the system:
1. Turn the ignition key to ON/RUN
with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the
accelerator pedal three times
within ve seconds.
If the change engine oil light is
not on, the system is reset.
If the light comes on again and stays
on for 30 seconds at the next ignition
cycle, it did not reset. The system
needs to be reset again.
5-16 Service and Appearance Care
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Notice:Use of the incorrect
automatic transmission uid
may damage the vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered by
the vehicle’s warranty. Always use
the automatic transmission uid
listed inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-13.
For the 2.4L, 3.5L and 3.6L engines,
the transmission uid will not
reach the end of the dipstick unless
the transmission is at operating
temperature. If you need to check the
transmission uid level, please take
your vehicle to your dealer/retailer.Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the
hood, here is what you will see:
A. Electric Engine Fan
B. Coolant Surge Tank
C. Pressure Cap{CAUTION
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant
surge tank is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a
level surface.
2.4L L4 Engine shown, 3.5L V6
and 3.6L V6 Engines similar
Service and Appearance Care 5-19
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This will allow any pressure still
left to be vented out the
discharge hose.
2. Then keep turning the pressure
cap slowly, and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with
the proper DEX-COOL
®coolant
mixture, to between the MIN
and MAX lines.4. With the coolant surge tank
pressure cap off, start the engine
and let it run until you can feel
the upper radiator hose getting
hot. Watch out for the engine
cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank may
be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX-COOL
®
coolant mixture to the coolant
surge tank until the level reaches
between the MIN and MAX lines.
5. Then replace the pressure cap.
Be sure the pressure cap is
hand-tight.
Check the level in the surge
tank when the cooling system
has cooled down. If the coolant is
not at the proper level, repeat
Steps 1 through 3 and reinstall the
pressure cap. If the coolant still is not
at the proper level when the system
cools down again, see your dealer/
retailer.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle
is lled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in your vehicle for ve years
or 150,000 miles (240 000 km),
whichever occurs rst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
®extended life
coolant.
The following explains your cooling
system and how to add coolant
when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see
Engine Overheating on page 5-25.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to
−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to
265°F (129°C).
5-22 Service and Appearance Care
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Protect against rust and
corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages
work as they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL
®can cause premature
engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing
sooner, at the rst maintenance
service after each 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always
use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free)
coolant in the vehicle.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean,
drinkable water and one-half
DEX-COOL
®coolant which will not
damage aluminum parts. If you
use this coolant mixture, you do not
need to add anything else.
{CAUTION
Adding only plain water to the
cooling system can be dangerous.
Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain water
or the wrong mixture, the engine
could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. The
engine could catch re and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Notice:If an improper coolant
mixture is used, the engine could
overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Too much water in the mixture
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other
parts.
If you have to add coolant more
than four times a year, have
your dealer/retailer check your
cooling system.
Notice:If extra inhibitors
and/or additives are used in
the vehicle’s cooling system,
the vehicle could be damaged.
Use only the proper mixture of
the engine coolant listed in
this manual for the cooling
system. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-13for more information.
Service and Appearance Care 5-23
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If you get the overheat warning with
no sign of steam, try this for a
minute or so:
1. If you have an air conditioner
and it is on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at
the highest fan speed and open
the windows as necessary.
3. Try to minimize engine load. If
you are in a traffic jam, shift to
N (Neutral); otherwise, shift to the
highest gear possible while
driving.
If you no longer have the overheat
warning, you can drive. Just to
be safe, drive slower for about
ten minutes. If the warning does
not come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues and you
have not stopped, pull over, stop,
and park your vehicle right away.If there is still no sign of steam, idle
the engine for three minutes
while you are parked. If the warning
continues, turn off the engine and
get everyone out of the vehicle until
it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood
but to get service help right away.
Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for reservoir location.
When to Check Power
Steering Fluid
Power steering uid is used in all
vehicles with V6 engines. Vehicles
with the 4-cylinder engine have
electric power steering and does not
use power steering uid.
It is not necessary to regularly
check power steering uid unless
you suspect there is a leak in
the system or you hear an unusual
noise. A uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering
Fluid
To check the power steering uid,
do the following:
1. Turn the key off and let the
engine compartment cool down.
2. Remove engine oil ll cap.
3. Slide engine cover rearward and
lift to remove.
5-26 Service and Appearance Care
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Maintenance
Schedule
Maintenance ScheduleIntroduction..........................6-1
Maintenance Requirements.....6-1
Your Vehicle and the
Environment........................6-1
Using the Maintenance
Schedule............................6-2
Scheduled Maintenance.........6-3
Additional Required Services. . . .6-6
Maintenance Footnotes..........6-8
Owner Checks and
Services...........................6-10
At Each Fuel Fill.................6-10
At Least Once a Month........6-10
At Least Once a Year..........6-11
Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants...................6-13
Maintenance Replacement
Parts................................6-15
Engine Drive Belt Routing.....6-16
Maintenance Record............6-17
Maintenance
Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the
proper level and change as
recommended.
Maintenance
Requirements
Notice:Maintenance intervals,
checks, inspections, replacement
parts, and recommended uids
and lubricants as prescribed
in this manual are necessary to
keep this vehicle in good working
condition. Any damage caused
by failure to follow scheduled
maintenance might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Your Vehicle and the
Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only
helps to keep the vehicle in good
working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended
maintenance is important. Improper
vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality of the air we
breathe. Improper uid levels or the
wrong tire ination can increase
the level of emissions from the
vehicle. To help protect the
environment, and to keep the
vehicle in good condition, be sure to
maintain the vehicle properly.
Maintenance Schedule 6-1
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To purchase service information,
seeService Publications Ordering
Information on page 7-15.
Owner Checks and Services on
page 6-10tells what should
be checked, when to check it, and
what can easily be done to help
keep the vehicle in good condition.
The proper replacement parts,
uids, and lubricants to use are
listed inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-13and
Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page 6-15. When the vehicle is
serviced, make sure these are used.
All parts should be replaced and all
necessary repairs done before you
or anyone else drives the vehicle.
We recommend the use of genuine
parts from your dealer/retailer.Scheduled Maintenance
When the Change Engine Oil
light displays, service is required for
the vehicle. Have the vehicle
serviced as soon as possible within
the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It
is possible that, if driving under the
best conditions, the engine oil
life system may not indicate that
vehicle service is necessary for over
a year. However, the engine oil
and lter must be changed at least
once a year and at this time the
system must be reset. Your
dealer/retailer has trained service
technicians who will perform
this work using genuine parts and
reset the system.If the engine oil life system is ever
reset accidentally, service the vehicle
within 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since
the last service. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is
changed. SeeEngine Oil Life
System on page 5-16for information
on the Engine Oil Life System and
resetting the system.
When the Change Engine Oil light
appears, certain services, checks,
and inspections are required.
Required services are described in
the following for “MaintenanceI”
and “MaintenanceII.” Generally, it is
recommended that the rst service
be MaintenanceI, the second
service be MaintenanceII, and then
alternate MaintenanceIand
MaintenanceIIthereafter. However,
in some cases, MaintenanceII
may be required more often.
Maintenance Schedule 6-3
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MaintenanceI—Use
Maintenance Iif the Change Engine
Oil light displays within 10 months
since the vehicle was purchased or
Maintenance IIwas performed. Maintenance
II—Use
Maintenance IIif the previous
service performed was
Maintenance I. Always use Maintenance
IIwhenever the light
displays 10 months or more since
the last service or if the light has not
come on at all for one year.
Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenance II
Change engine oil and lter. See Engine Oil on page 5-14. Reset oil life
system. See Engine Oil Life System on page 5-16 .An Emission Control
Service. ••
Visually check for any leaks or damage. See footnote (j). ••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace lter. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17 .See footnote (l). •
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 5-56 and “Tire Wear Inspection” in At Least Once a Month on
page 6-10. ••
Inspect brake system. See footnote (a). ••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels and add uid as
needed. ••
6-4 Maintenance Schedule
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