window SATURN VUE 2009 Owner's Guide

Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be in a
serious situation. Stay with the
vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use theRoadside
Assistance Program on page 7-6.
To get help and keep everyone
in the vehicle safe:
Turn on theHazard Warning
Flashers on page 3-5.
Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{CAUTION
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may cause
exhaust gases to get inside.
Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
Clear away snow from
around the base of your
vehicle, especially any that is
blocking the exhaust pipe.
Check again from time to
time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
Open a window about
two inches (5 cm) on the side
of the vehicle that is away
from the wind to bring in
fresh air.
Fully open the air outlets on or
under the instrument panel.
Adjust the Climate Control
system to a setting that
circulates the air inside the
vehicle and set the fan speed
to the highest setting. See
Climate Control System in the
Index.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
For more information about
carbon monoxide, seeEngine
Exhaust on page 2-28.
Snow can trap exhaust gases
under your vehicle. This can
cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO
could overcome you and kill you.
You cannot see it or smell it, so
you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle,
especially any that is blocking the
exhaust.
Run the engine for short periods
only as needed to keep warm,
but be careful.
To save fuel, run the engine for
only short periods as needed
to warm the vehicle and then shut
the engine off and close the window
most of the way to save heat.
4-26 Driving Your Vehicle
ProCarManuals.com

Hitches
It is important to have the correct
hitch equipment. Crosswinds,
large trucks going by and rough
roads are a few reasons why
the right hitch is needed.
The rear bumper on the vehicle is
not intended for hitches. Do not
attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to it. Use
only a frame-mounted hitch that
does not attach to the bumper.
Will any holes be made in the
body of the vehicle when the
trailer hitch is installed? If so,
be sure to seal the holes when
the hitch is removed. If they are
not sealed, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) from the engine’s
exhaust can get into the vehicle.
SeeEngine Exhaust on
page 2-28. Sealing the holes will
also prevent dirt and water from
entering the vehicle.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer. Cross the
safety chains under the tongue of
the trailer to help prevent the tongue
from contacting 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
the rig can turn. Never allow safety
chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
A loaded trailer that weighs more
than 1,000 lbs (450 kg) needs to
have its own brake system that is
adequate for the weight of the trailer.Be sure to read and follow the
instructions for the trailer brakes so
they are installed, adjusted and
maintained properly. Because the
vehicle has StabiliTrak
®, do not try
to tap into the vehicle’s hydraulic
brake system. If you do, both brake
systems will not work well, or at all.
Driving with a Trailer
{CAUTION
When towing a trailer, exhaust
gases may collect at the rear
of the vehicle and enter if the
liftgate, trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window is open.
Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
(Continued)
4-40 Driving Your Vehicle
ProCarManuals.com

CAUTION (Continued)
To maximize safety when towing
a trailer:
Have the exhaust system
inspected for leaks and make
necessary repairs before
starting a trip.
Never drive with the liftgate,
trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window open.
Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
Adjust the Climate Control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air and
set the fan speed to the
highest setting. See Climate
Control System in the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, seeEngine
Exhaust on page 2-28.Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. Get to know
the rig before setting out for the open
road. Get acquainted 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 longer and not as
responsive as the vehicle is by itself.
Before starting, check all trailer
hitch parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustments. If the
trailer has electric brakes, start the
vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by
hand to be sure the brakes are
working. This checks the electrical
connection at the same time.
During the trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure,
and that the lamps and any
trailer brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help to avoid situations that
require heavy braking and sudden
turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. Because the
rig is longer, it is necessary to go
much farther beyond the passed
vehicle before returning to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. Then, to move the
trailer to the left, move that hand to
the left. To move the trailer to the
right, move your hand to the right.
Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-41
ProCarManuals.com

Tire Inspection and
Rotation............................5-56
When It Is Time for
New Tires.........................5-57
Buying New Tires................5-58
Different Size Tires and
Wheels.............................5-59
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading............................5-60
Wheel Alignment and
Tire Balance.....................5-61
Wheel Replacement.............5-62
Tire Chains.........................5-62
If a Tire Goes Flat...............5-63
Changing a Flat Tire............5-64
Removing the Spare
Tire and Tools...................5-65
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire.......5-66
Storing a Flat or Spare
Tire and Tools...................5-70
Compact Spare Tire.............5-71Appearance CareInterior Cleaning..................5-72
Fabric/Carpet......................5-73
Leather..............................5-74
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and
Other Plastic Surfaces.........5-74
Care of Safety Belts............5-74
Weatherstrips......................5-75
Washing Your Vehicle..........5-75
Cleaning Exterior
Lamps/Lenses...................5-75
Finish Care.........................5-76
Windshield and Wiper
Blades..............................5-76
Aluminum Wheels................5-77
Tires..................................5-77
Sheet Metal Damage...........5-78
Finish Damage....................5-78
Underbody Maintenance.......5-78
Chemical Paint Spotting........5-78Vehicle IdenticationVehicle Identication
Number (VIN)....................5-79
Service Parts Identication
Label...............................5-79
Electrical SystemAdd-On Electrical
Equipment........................5-79
Windshield Wiper Fuses.......5-80
Power Windows and
Other Power Options..........5-80
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers...........................5-80
Instrument Panel
Fuse Block.......................5-80
Underhood Fuse Block.........5-82
Capacities and
Specications
Capacities and
Specications....................5-86
5-2 Service and Appearance Care
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

4. Wipe the cap and the top of the
reservoir clean.
5. Unscrew the cap and wipe the
dipstick with a clean rag.
6. Replace the cap and completely
tighten it.
7. Remove the cap again and look
at the uid level on the dipstick.
The uid level should be within the
area indicated on the dipstick
when the engine is cold.
What to Use
To determine what kind of uid to
use,Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-13. Always
use the proper uid.
Notice:Use of the incorrect uid
may damage the vehicle and
the damages may not be covered
by the vehicle’s warranty.
Always use the correct uid
listed inRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-13.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield or rear
window washer uid, be sure to
read the manufacturer’s instructions
before use. If you will be operating
your vehicle in an area where
the temperature may fall below
freezing, use a uid that has
sufficient protection against freezing.
Adding Windshield Washer
Fluid
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer uid until
the tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for reservoir location.Notice:
When using concentrated
washer uid, follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer uid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage your
washer uid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as
well as washer uid.
Fill the washer uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is
very cold. This allows for uid
expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank if
it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in your windshield
washer. It can damage the
vehicle’s windshield washer
system and paint.
Service and Appearance Care 5-27
ProCarManuals.com

Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear and cracking.
SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-3for more information.
Replacement blades come in
different types and are removed in
different ways. For proper type
and length, seeMaintenance
Replacement Parts on page 6-15.
To replace the windshield wiper
blade:
1. Lift the wiper arm away from the
windshield.2. Push the release lever (B) to
disengage the hook and push
the wiper arm (A) out of the
blade (C).
3. Push the new wiper blade
securely on the wiper arm
until you hear the release lever
click into place.To replace the rear wiper blade:
1. Lift the rear wiper arm (A) from
the window.
2. Rotate the bottom edge of the
blade assembly (B) slightly
away from the underside of the
wiper arm.
3. Apply downward pressure to the
blade assembly and remove
from the wiper arm.
5-42 Service and Appearance Care
ProCarManuals.com

Tire Size
The following illustration shows
an example of a typical
passenger vehicle tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
:The United States version of a
metric tire sizing system. The
letter P as the rst character in
the tire size means a passenger
vehicle tire engineered to
standards set by the U.S. Tire
and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width
:The three-digit
number indicates the tire section
width in millimeters from sidewall
to sidewall.(C) Aspect Ratio
:A two-digit
number that indicates the tire
height-to-width measurements.
For example, if the tire size
aspect ratio is 60, as shown in
item C of the illustration, it would
mean that the tire’s sidewall is
60 percent as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code
:A letter
code is used to indicate the type
of ply construction in the tire.
The letter R means radial ply
construction; the letter D means
diagonal or bias ply construction;
and the letter B means
belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of
the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description
:These
characters represent the load
index and speed rating of the tire.
The load index represents the
load carry capacity a tire is
certied to carry. The speed
rating is the maximum speed a
tire is certied to carry a load.
Tire Terminology and
Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air
inside the tire pressing outward
on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in
pounds per square inch (psi)
or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight
:This means
the combined weight of optional
accessories. Some examples
of optional accessories are,
automatic transmission, power
steering, power brakes, power
windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship
of a tire’s height to its width.
Belt
:A rubber coated layer of
cords that is located between the
plies and the tread. Cords may
be made from steel or other
reinforcing materials.
5-46 Service and Appearance Care
ProCarManuals.com

Appearance Care
Interior Cleaning
The vehicle’s interior will continue
to look its best if it is cleaned often.
Although not always visible, dust
and dirt can accumulate on the
upholstery. Dirt can damage carpet,
fabric, leather, and plastic surfaces.
Regular vacuuming is recommended
to remove particles from the
upholstery. It is important to keep
the upholstery from becoming and
remaining heavily soiled. Soils
should be removed as quickly as
possible. The vehicle’s interior may
experience extremes of heat that
could cause stains to set rapidly.
Lighter colored interiors may
require more frequent cleaning.
Use care because newspapers and
garments that transfer color to home
furnishings may also transfer color to
the vehicle’s interior.When cleaning the vehicle’s interior,
only use cleaners specically
designed for the surfaces being
cleaned. Permanent damage may
result from using cleaners on
surfaces for which they were not
intended. Use glass cleaner only on
glass. Remove any accidental
over-spray from other surfaces
immediately. To prevent over-spray,
apply cleaner directly to the cleaning
cloth.
Notice:Using abrasive cleaners
when cleaning glass surfaces
on the vehicle, could scratch the
glass and/or cause damage to
the rear window defogger. When
cleaning the glass on the vehicle,
use only a soft cloth and glass
cleaner.Many cleaners contain solvents that
may become concentrated in the
vehicle’s breathing space. Before
using cleaners, read and adhere to
all safety instructions on the label.
While cleaning the vehicle’s interior,
maintain adequate ventilation by
opening the vehicle’s doors and
windows.
Dust may be removed from small
buttons and knobs using a small
brush with soft bristles.
Products that remove odors from the
vehicle’s upholstery and clean the
vehicle’s glass can be obtained from
your dealer/retailer.
5-72 Service and Appearance Care
ProCarManuals.com

Windshield Wiper Fuses
The windshield wiper motor is
protected by a circuit breaker and a
fuse. If the motor overheats due
to heavy snow or ice, the wiper will
stop until the motor cools. If the
overload is caused by some
electrical problem, have it xed.
Power Windows and
Other Power Options
Circuit breakers in the fuse block
protect the power windows and
other power accessories. When the
current load is too heavy, the
circuit breaker opens and closes,
protecting the circuit until the
problem is xed or goes away.
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers
The wiring circuits in the vehicle are
protected from short circuits by
fuses. This greatly reduces
the chance of circuit overload and
re caused by electrical problems.
There are two fuse blocks — the
underhood fuse block, and the
instrument panel fuse block.
To identify and check fuses and
relays, refer to the Fuse Usage
Chart on the inside surface of the
fuse panel door.
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block
The instrument panel fuse block is
located on the passenger side
of the lower console.
Pull the latch of the fuse box cover
straight back to access the fuses.
5-80 Service and Appearance Care
ProCarManuals.com