overheating SATURN VUE 2009 Owners Manual

Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
The engine coolant temperature
light should come on briey as
the engine is started. If it does not
come on have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer/retailer.
Notice:Driving with the engine
coolant temperature warning light
on could cause the vehicle to
overheat. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-25. The vehicle’s engine
could be damaged, and it might
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Never drive with the
engine coolant temperature
warning light on.If this light comes on and stays on,
the engine has overheated. Pull over
and seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-25for more information.Tire Pressure Light
If the vehicle has a tire pressure
monitoring system, the tire pressure
light provides information about tire
pressures and the Tire Pressure
Monitoring System. The light should
come on briey as the engine is
started. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer/
retailer.When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or
more of the tires are signicantly
underinated.
A tire pressure message in the
Driver Information Center (DIC),
can accompany the light. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on
page 3-49for more information.
Stop and check the tires as soon
as it is safe to do so. If underinated,
inate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 5-43for more
information.
When the Light Flashes First and
Then is On Steady
This indicates that there could be
a problem with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System. The light ashes
for about a minute and stays on
steady for the remainder of the
ignition cycle. This sequence
repeats with every ignition cycle.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System
on page 5-51for more information.
3-34 Instrument Panel
ProCarManuals.com

CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
On vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays when the pressure
in one or more of the vehicle’s tires
needs to be checked. This message
also displays LEFT FRONT, RIGHT
FRONT, LEFT REAR, or RIGHT
REAR to indicate which tire needs to
be checked. You can receive more
than one tire pressure message at a
time. To read the other messages
that may have been sent at the same
time, press the set/reset button. If a
tire pressure message appears on
the DIC, stop as soon as you can.
Have the tire pressures checked
and set to those shown on the Tire
Loading Information label. SeeTires
on page 5-43,Loading the Vehicle
on page 4-28, andInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-49. The DIC
also shows the tire pressure values.
SeeDIC Operation and Displays on
page 3-42. If the tire pressure is low,
the low tire pressure warning light
comes on. SeeTire Pressure Light
on page 3-34.
COMPASS CALIBRATION
COMPLETE
This message displays when the
compass calibration is complete.
SeeDIC Compass on page 3-47.
CRUISE CONTROL SET
TO XXX
This message displays whenever
the cruise control is set. SeeCruise
Control on page 3-9for more
information.
DRIVER DOOR OPEN
This message displays when the
driver door is not closed properly.
Close the door completely.
ENGINE HOT A/C
(Air Conditioning) OFF
This message displays when the
engine coolant becomes hotter than
the normal operating temperature.
To avoid added strain on a hotengine, the air conditioning
compressor is automatically turned
off. When the coolant temperature
returns to normal, the A/C operation
automatically resumes. You can
continue to drive your vehicle.
ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE
ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle
while the engine is overheating,
severe engine damage may occur.
If an overheat warning appears
on the instrument panel cluster
and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as
soon as possible. Do not increase
the engine speed above normal
idling speed. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 5-25for
more information.
This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature is
too hot. Stop and allow the vehicle
to idle until it cools down.
Instrument Panel 3-51
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ENGINE OVERHEATED
STOP ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle
while the engine is overheating,
severe engine damage may occur.
If an overheat warning appears
on the instrument panel cluster
and/or DIC, stop the vehicle
as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 5-25for
more information.
This message displays along with a
continuous chime when the engine
has overheated. Stop and turn the
engine off immediately to avoid
severe engine damage. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 5-25.
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays when the
vehicle’s engine power is reduced.
Reduced engine power can affect
the vehicle’s ability to accelerate.
If this message is on, but there is no
reduction in performance, proceed to
your destination. The performance
may be reduced the next time the
vehicle is driven. The vehicle may
be driven at a reduced speed while
this message is on, but acceleration
and speed may be reduced. Anytime
this message stays on, the vehicle
should be taken to your dealer/
retailer for service as soon as
possible.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays when your
vehicle is low on fuel. Rell the
fuel tank as soon as possible.
SeeFuel Gage on page 3-41and
Filling the Tank on page 5-8for
more information.
HOOD OPEN
If your vehicle has the remote start
feature, this message displays along
with a chime when the hood is not
closed properly. Make sure that
the hood is closed completely.
SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
This message displays while the
ignition is in ON/RUN. Press any
of the DIC buttons to acknowledge
this message and to clear it from
the screen.
This message continues to display
for two seconds if it has not been
acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. The message comes back
on for two seconds if it has been
acknowledged, but the condition
still exists when the engine is turned
off. If the condition still exists, the
message reappears when the engine
is turned on.
3-52 Instrument Panel
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TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
On vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays when the TPMS
is re-learning the tire positions on
your vehicle. The tire positions must
be re-learned after rotating the tires
or after replacing a tire or sensor.
SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-56,Tire Pressure
Monitor System on page 5-51,
andInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-49for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This message displays when
the Traction Control System (TCS)
turns off. SeeStabiliTrak
®System
on page 4-7for more information.This message only displays
while the ignition is in ON/RUN
and disappears after 10 seconds,
unless it is acknowledged or an
urgent warning appears.
Any of the following conditions may
cause the TCS to turn off:
The TCS is turned off by pressing
the TCS/StabiliTrak button.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 4-7for more information.
The battery is low.
There is a TCS failure. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
TRACTION CONTROL ON
This message displays when the
Traction Control System (TCS) turns
on. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 4-7for more information.
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE
ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle
while the transmission uid is
overheating and the transmission
temperature warning is displayed
on the instrument panel cluster
and/or DIC, you can damage the
transmission. This could lead to
costly repairs that would not be
covered by your warranty. Do not
drive your vehicle with overheated
transmission uid or while the
transmission temperature warning
is displayed.
This message displays along with a
chime if the transmission uid in the
vehicle gets hot. Driving with the
transmission uid temperature high
can cause damage to the vehicle.
Stop the vehicle and let it idle to
allow the transmission to cool.
This message clears and the chime
stops when the uid temperature
reaches a safe level.
3-56 Instrument Panel
ProCarManuals.com

Press and release this button to turn
off TCS. The TCS warning light will
be displayed on the instrument panel
cluster. The traction control system
can be turned back on by pressing
the TCS/StabiliTrak button.
If the system is limiting wheel spin
when the button is pressed, the
system will not turn off until there is
no longer a current need to limit
wheel spin. The system can
be turned back on at any time by
pressing the button again. If the TCS
light does not come on, TCS may
not be functioning properly and
the vehicle should be serviced at
your dealer/retailer.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect the vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3for
more information.All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
System
If the vehicle has all-wheel drive
(AWD), the AWD system operates
automatically without any action
required by the driver. If the front
drive wheels begin to slip, the rear
wheels will automatically begin to
drive the vehicle as required. There
may be a slight engagement noise
during hard use but this is normal.
This light is located on the
instrument panel cluster.
It will come on and stay on to
indicate there may be a problem
with the drive system and service is
required. If the light stays on, it must
be reset. To reset the light, turn the
ignition off and then back on again.
If the light stays on, see your
dealer/retailer for service.If the vehicle is exposed to extended
heavy AWD usage, the AWD system
will shut off to protect the system
from overheating. When the system
cools down, the AWD system will
activate again automatically; this
cool-down can take up to 20 minutes
depending on outside temperature
and vehicle use.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
If the vehicle has the electric power
steering system and the engine
stalls while driving, the power
steering assist system will continue
to operate until you are able to
stop the vehicle. If power steering
assist is lost because the electric
power steering system is not
functioning, the vehicle can be
steered but it will take more effort.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-9
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Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns
while trailering could cause the
trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. The vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very
sharp turns while trailering.
When turning with a trailer,
make wider turns than normal. Do
this so the trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or
other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
The arrows on the instrument panel
ash whenever signaling a turn or
lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps also ash, telling
other drivers the vehicle is turning,
changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument panel ash for turns
even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. For this reason you may
think other drivers are seeing thesignal when they are not. It is
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 the vehicle.
Frequent stops are very important
to allow the engine and
transmission to cool.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gearbeforestarting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the transmission
is not shifted down, the brakes
might have to be used so much that
they would get hot and no longer
work well.On a long uphill grade, shift down
and reduce the vehicle’s speed
to around 45 mph (70 km/h)
to reduce the possibility of the
engine and the transmission
overheating.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, consider the
following: Engine coolant will boil at a
lower temperature than at normal
altitudes. If the engine is turned off
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the
vehicle may show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with the
automatic transmission in P (Park)
for a few minutes before turning the
engine off. If the overheat warning
comes on, seeEngine Overheating
on page 5-25.
4-42 Driving Your Vehicle
ProCarManuals.com

Parking on Hills
{CAUTION
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a at surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do
not shift into P (Park) yet.
Turn the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic
if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks
under the trailer wheels.3. When the wheel chocks are
in place, release the regular
brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then
apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal
while you:
Start the engine
Shift into a gear
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
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-3
for more information. Things that
are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission
uid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,
cooling system and brake system.
It is a good idea to inspect these
before and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-25.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-43
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Service and
Appearance Care
ServiceService................................5-3
Accessories and
Modications.......................5-3
California Proposition 65
Warning.............................5-4
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements........5-4
Doing Your Own
Service Work......................5-4
Adding Equipment to the
Outside of the Vehicle...........5-5
FuelFuel....................................5-5
Gasoline Octane...................5-5
Gasoline Specications..........5-6
California Fuel......................5-6
Additives..............................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries......5-8
Filling the Tank.....................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container..........................5-10
Checking Things Under
the Hood
Checking Things Under
the Hood..........................5-10
Hood Release.....................5-11
Engine Compartment
Overview..........................5-12
Engine Oil..........................5-14
Engine Oil Life System.........5-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.......5-17
Automatic Transmission
Fluid................................5-18
Cooling System...................5-19
Engine Coolant...................5-22
Coolant Surge Tank
Pressure Cap....................5-25
Engine Overheating.............5-25
Power Steering Fluid............5-26
Windshield Washer Fluid......5-27
Brakes...............................5-28
Battery...............................5-30
Jump Starting.....................5-31
All-Wheel DriveAll-Wheel Drive...................5-35
Headlamp AimingHeadlamp Aiming................5-36
Bulb ReplacementBulb Replacement...............5-39
Halogen Bulbs....................5-39
Headlamps.........................5-39
Front Turn Signal and
Parking Lamps..................5-40
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps and Back-up
Lamps..............................5-40
License Plate Lamp.............5-41
Replacement Bulbs..............5-41
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement.....................5-42
TiresTires..................................5-43
Tire Sidewall Labeling..........5-44
Tire Terminology and
Denitions.........................5-46
Ination - Tire Pressure........5-49
High-Speed Operation..........5-50
Tire Pressure Monitor
System.............................5-51
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation..........................5-53
Service and Appearance Care 5-1
ProCarManuals.com

The coolant level should be between
the MIN and MAX lines. If it is not,
you may have a leak at the radiator
hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water
pump, or somewhere else in the
cooling system.
{CAUTION
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine re, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
xed before you drive the vehicle.If there seems to be no leak, with
the engine on, check to see if
the electric engine cooling fan is
running. If the engine is overheating,
the fan should be running. If it is
not, your vehicle needs service.
Turn off the engine.
Notice:Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.
Notice:Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL
®can cause premature
engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing
sooner, at 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.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
Notice:This vehicle has a
specic coolant ll procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
If you have not found a problem
yet, check to see if coolant is
visible in the surge tank. If coolant is
visible but the coolant level is not at
between the MIN and MAX lines, add
a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at
the coolant surge tank, but be sure
the cooling system, including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap, is
cool before you do it. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-22for more
information.
5-20 Service and Appearance Care
ProCarManuals.com

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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