tow SATURN VUE HYBRID 2009 Owner's Manual

Heavy snow or ice can overload the
wiper motor. A circuit breaker will
stop the motor until it cools down.
Rainsense™ II Wipers
For vehicles with Rainsense™ II
windshield wipers, the moisture
sensor is located next to the inside
rearview mirror and is mounted
on the windshield. When active,
these sensors are able to detect
moisture on the windshield and
automatically turn on the wipers.
To turn on the Rainsense feature,
the wipers must be set to one
of the ve delay settings on the
multifunction lever. Each of the ve
settings adjusts the sensitivity of
the sensor.Since different drivers have
different setting preferences, it is
recommended that the mid-range
setting (position 3) be used initially.
For more wipes, select the higher
settings; for fewer wipes, select the
lower settings located closer to the
off position on the multifunction lever.
The sensor will automatically control
the frequency of the wipes from
the off setting to the high speed
setting according to the weather
conditions. The wipers can be left in
a rainsense mode even when it is
not raining.
When Rainsense is active, the
headlamps will turn on automatically
if the exterior lamp control is in
the AUTO position and the wipers
are active.
Notice:Going through an
automatic car wash with the
wipers on can damage them. Turn
the wipers off when going
through an automatic car wash.
Windshield Washer
{CAUTION
In freezing weather, do not use
your washer until the windshield is
warmed. Otherwise the washer
uid can form ice on the
windshield, blocking your vision.
Pull the windshield wiper lever
toward you to spray washer uid on
the windshield. The wipers will run
for a few cycles to clear the
windshield. For more wash cycles,
pull the lever forward and hold.
Heated Windshield Washer
Nozzles
This feature prevents the windshield
washer uid from freezing on the
nozzle during cold conditions.
The heated nozzles are turned on
when the rear window defogger
is activated. SeeAutomatic Climate
Control System on page 3-17.
3-8 Instrument Panel
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Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION
If you leave your cruise control on
when you are not using cruise,
you might hit a button and go into
cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even
lose control. Keep the cruise
control switch off until you want to
use cruise control.
The cruise control buttons are
located on the left side of the
steering wheel.
E(On/Off):Press to turn the cruise
control system on and off. An
indicator light comes on.
RES+ (Resume/Accel):Move the
thumbwheel up to resume a set
speed or to accelerate to a higher
speed.
−SET(Set/Coast):Move the
thumbwheel down to set a speed or
to decrease the speed.
To set a speed:
1. Press
Eto turn cruise control on.
The indicator light on the button
comes on.
2. Get to the speed desired.
3. Press the thumbwheel toward
−SET and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
When the brakes are applied, the
cruise control shuts off.Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a
desired speed and then the brakes
are applied, the cruise control is
disengaged. The indicator light on
the instrument panel cluster goes
out when the cruise is no longer
engaged. To return to the previously
set speed, press the thumbwheel up
toward RES+ briey when the
vehicle has reached a speed of
about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more.
This accelerates the vehicle to the
previously selected speed.
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
To increase the cruise speed while
using cruise control:
Press the thumbwheel up toward
RES+ and hold it until the vehicle
accelerates to the desired speed,
and then release the switch.
3-10 Instrument Panel
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To increase the speed in small
amounts, press the thumbwheel
up toward RES+ briey and then
release it. Each time this is done,
the vehicle goes about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) faster.
Use the accelerator pedal to
reach the desired speed
and press the thumbwheel
towards−SET. The new desired
speed must be greater than
the previous set speed by
typically 5 mph.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already engaged,
Push the thumbwheel toward
−SET and hold until the desired
lower speed is reached, then
release it.
To slow down in very small
amounts, push the thumbwheel
toward−SET briey. Each time
this is done, the vehicle goes
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle’s speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal,
the vehicle will slow down to
the previously set cruise control
speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works on
hills depends upon the vehicle’s
speed, load, and the steepness of
the hills. When going up steep
hills, you might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain the
vehicle’s speed. When going
downhill, you might have to brake or
shift to a lower gear to maintain
the vehicle’s speed. For some
vehicles the transmission may
automatically downshift when going
down hills to help maintain the
vehicle’s speed. When the brakes
are applied the cruise control
shuts off.Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to disengage
the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal or
clutch; when cruise control
disengages, the indicator light on
the instrument panel cluster
goes out.
PressEto turn off the cruise
control system.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory
is erased when the cruise control or
the ignition is turned off.
Instrument Panel 3-11
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{CAUTION
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have
the vehicle serviced right away.
SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 3-25for more information,
including important safety
information.
Charging System Light
The charging system light comes on
briey when the ignition is turned
on, but the engine is not running, as
a check to show the light is
working. It should go out when the
engine is started.If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, there could be a
problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked by your
dealer/retailer. Driving while this light
is on could drain the battery.
If a short distance must be driven
with the light on, be sure to turn off
all accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner.
Brake System Warning
Light
The brake indicator light should
come on briey as the engine
is started. If it does not come on
have the vehicle serviced by
your dealer/retailer.
When the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light comes on
when the parking brake is set. Thelight stays on if the parking brake
does not fully release. If it stays on
after the parking brake is fully
released, there is a brake problem.
Have the brake system inspected
immediately.
{CAUTION
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning
light on can lead to a crash. If the
light is still on after the vehicle
has been pulled off the road and
carefully stopped, have the
vehicle towed for service.
If the light comes on while driving, a
chime sounds. Pull off the road and
stop. The pedal might be harder to
push or go closer to the oor. It might
also take longer to stop. If the light is
still on, have the vehicle towed for
service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 4-22.
United StatesCanada
Instrument Panel 3-27
ProCarManuals.com

Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
For vehicles with the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light should
come on briey as the engine
is started. If it does not come on
have the vehicle serviced by
your dealer/retailer.
If the ABS light stays on longer than
a few seconds after engine is
started, or comes on and stays on
while driving, try resetting the
system. To reset the system:
1. While driving, pull over when it is
safe to do so.
2. Place the vehicle in P (PARK).
3. Turn off the ignition.
4. Then restart the engine.If the ABS light remains on after
resetting the system or comes
on again while driving, the vehicle
needs service. If the ABS light is on,
but the regular brake system
warning light is not on, the antilock
brakes are not working properly,
but the regular brakes are still
functioning. Have the vehicle
serviced right away. If both brake
lights are on, the vehicle does
not have antilock brakes, and there
is a problem with the regular
brakes as well. Have the vehicle
towed for service. SeeTowing Your
Vehicle on page 4-22.
StabiliTrak®/Traction
Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
The Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak®system warning
light comes on briey as the
engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer. If
the system is working normally
the indicator lights go off.
This light ashes while the Traction
Control System (TCS) and/or the
StabiliTrak system are working.
It also ashes when the Antilock
Brake System (ABS) is activated.
If the light comes on and stays
on while driving there is a problem
with the Traction Control System
(TCS) or the StabiliTrak system. The
3-28 Instrument Panel
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Notice:Modications made to
the engine, transmission, exhaust,
intake, or fuel system of the
vehicle or the replacement of the
original tires with other than those
of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect the
vehicle’s emission controls and
can cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems
could lead to costly repairs not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
This could also result in a failure
to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications on
page 5-3.
This light 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 the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.The following can prevent more
serious damage to the vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled
as soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to ash, when
it is safe to do so, stop the
vehicle. Find a safe place to park
the vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at
least 10 seconds, and restart the
engine. If the light is still ashing,
follow the previous steps and
see your dealer/retailer for service
as soon as possible.
Light On Steady:An emission
control system malfunction has been
detected on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.An emission system malfunction
might be corrected by:
Make sure the fuel cap is fully
installed. SeeFilling the Tank
on page 5-7. The diagnostic
system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap allows fuel
to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn
the light off.
If the vehicle has been driven
through a deep puddle of
water, the vehicle’s electrical
system might be wet. The
condition is usually corrected
when the electrical system dries
out. A few driving trips should
turn the light off.
Instrument Panel 3-31
ProCarManuals.com

Driving Your
Vehicle
Your Driving, the Road,
and the Vehicle
Driving Your Vehicle...........4-1
Driver Behavior...................4-2
Driving Environment............4-2
Vehicle Design...................4-2
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy...........................4-3
Defensive Driving................4-3
Drunk Driving.....................4-4
Control of a Vehicle............4-4
Braking...............................4-5
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)...................4-6
Braking in Emergencies......4-6
StabiliTrak®System............4-7
Traction Control
System (TCS)...................4-8
Steering..............................4-9
Off-Road Recovery............4-10
Passing.............................4-11
Loss of Control.................4-11
Driving at Night.................4-12
Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads......................4-13
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip........................4-14
Highway Hypnosis.............4-14
Hill and Mountain
Roads.............................4-14
Winter Driving...................4-15
If Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow
...........................4-17
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out.......................4-17
Loading the Vehicle..........4-18
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle.........4-22
Recreational Vehicle
Towing............................4-23
Towing a Trailer................4-26
Your Driving, the
Road, and the Vehicle
Driving Your Vehicle
Whenever we drive, we are taking
on an important responsibility.
This is true for any motor
vehicle — passenger car, van,
truck, sport utility. Driver behavior,
the driving environment, and
the vehicle’s design all affect how
well a vehicle performs. But
statistics show that the most
important factor, by far, is how
we drive.
Knowing how these three factors
work together can help you
understand how your vehicle
handles and what you can do to
avoid many types of crashes,
including a rollover crash.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-1
ProCarManuals.com

It is recommended to leave the
system on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn the system off if the
vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice or
snow, and you want to “rock” the
vehicle to attempt to free it.
StabiliTrak may also turn off
automatically if it determines that a
problem exists with the system. The
TCS/StabiliTrak warning light will be
on solid to warn the driver that
StabiliTrak is disabled and requires
service. If the problem does not clear
itself after restarting the vehicle, see
your dealer/retailer for service.
If cruise control is being used when
StabiliTrak activates, the cruise
control automatically disengages.
The cruise control can be
re-engaged when road conditions
allow. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-9.Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
The vehicle has a Trailer Sway
Control (TSC) feature as part of the
StabiliTrak system. If the vehicle is
towing a trailer and the system
detects that the trailer is swaying, the
vehicle’s brakes are applied without
the driver pressing the brake pedal.
The TCS/StabiliTrak warning light
will ash on the instrument panel
cluster to notify the driver to reduce
speed. If the trailer continues to
sway, StabiliTrak will reduce engine
torque to help slow the vehicle.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect the vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3for
more information.
Traction Control System
(TCS)
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) that limits wheel spin.
This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system
operates only if it senses that one or
both of the front wheels are spinning
or beginning to lose traction. When
this happens, TCS applies the
brakes to limit wheel spin and also
reduces engine power. The system
may be heard or felt while it is
working, but this is normal.
This light will ash when TCS is
limiting wheel spin.
It is recommended to leave the
system on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn the system off if the vehicle is
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow, and
you want to “rock” the vehicle to
4-8 Driving Your Vehicle
ProCarManuals.com

Repeat this until help arrives but only
when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. Moving about to keep
warm also helps.
If it takes some time for help to
arrive, now and then when you run
the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs
faster than the idle speed. This
keeps the battery charged to restart
the vehicle and to signal for help with
the headlamps. Do this as little as
possible to save fuel.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in
Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out on page 4-17.If the vehicle has a traction system, it
can often help to free a stuck vehicle.
Refer to the vehicle’s traction system
in the Index. If stuck too severely for
the traction system to free the
vehicle, turn the traction system off
and use the rocking method.
{CAUTION
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at
high speed, they can explode, and
you or others could be injured. The
vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment re or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little
as possible and avoid going above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the
speedometer.
For information about using tire
chains on the vehicle, seeTire
Chains on page 5-57.
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around
the front wheels. Turn off any
traction system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until
the wheels stop spinning before
shifting gears. Release the
accelerator pedal while shifting, and
press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in
gear. Slowly spinning the wheels in
the forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that
could free the vehicle. If that does
not get the vehicle out after a
few tries, it might need to be towed
out. If the vehicle does need to
be towed out, seeTowing Your
Vehicle on page 4-22.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-17
ProCarManuals.com

The Tire and Loading Information
label also shows the size of the
original equipment tires (C) and
the recommended cold tire
ination pressures (D). For more
information on tires and ination
seeTires on page 5-38and
Inflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-43.
There is also important loading
information on the vehicle
Certication/Tire label. It tells
you the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) and the
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for the front and rear
axle. See “Certication/Tire
Label” later in this section.Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit
1.
Locate the statement “The
combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs” on
your vehicle’s placard.
2.Determine the combined
weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding
in your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight
of the driver and passengers
from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4.The resulting gure equals
the available amount of
cargo and luggage load
capacity. For example, if
the “XXX” amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be
ve 150 lb passengers in
your vehicle, the amount
of available cargo and
luggage load capacity
is 650 lbs (1400−750
(5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5.Determine the combined
weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, the load from your
trailer will be transferred to
your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how
this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load
capacity for your vehicle.
SeeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-26for important
information on towing a trailer,
towing safety rules, and
trailering tips.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-19
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