maintenance SATURN ASTRA 2008 Owner's Manual

When It Is Time for
New Tires
Various factors, such as
maintenance, temperatures,
driving speeds, vehicle loading,
and road conditions inuence
when you need new tires.
One way to tell when it is time for
new tires is to check the treadwear
indicators, which will appear when
the tires have only 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) or less of tread remaining.You need new tires if any of the
following statements are true:You can see the indicators at
three or more places around
the tire.
You can see cord or fabric
showing through the tire’s rubber.
The tread or sidewall is cracked,
cut, or snagged deep enough to
show cord or fabric.
The tire has a bump, bulge,
or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut, or
other damage that cannot be
repaired well because of the size
or location of the damage.The rubber in tires degrades over
time, even if they are not being
used. This is also true for the
spare tire, if the vehicle has one.
Multiple conditions affect how
fast this aging takes place, including
temperatures, loading conditions,
and ination pressure maintenance.
With proper care and maintenance
tires typically wear out before
they degrade due to age. If you are
unsure about the need to replace
the tires as they get older, consult
the tire manufacturer for more
information.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-53
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Tire Changing
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while you are driving, especially if
you maintain your vehicle’s tires
properly. If air goes out of a tire, it is
much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a
blowout, here are a few tips about
what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire creates
a drag that pulls the vehicle toward
that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel rmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop well out of the
traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction you
would use in a skid. In any rear
blowout remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle
under control by steering theway you want the vehicle to go.
It may be very bumpy and noisy, but
you can still steer. Gently brake to
a stop, well off the road if possible.
{CAUTION
Lifting a vehicle and getting
under it to do maintenance or
repairs is dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment
and training. The jack provided
with your vehicle is designed
only for changing a at tire. If it
is used for anything else, you or
others could be badly injured or
killed if the vehicle slips off the
jack. Use the jack provided with
your vehicle only for changing a
at tire.
If a tire goes at, the next part
shows how to use the jacking
equipment to change a at tire
safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place. Turn on the
hazard warning ashers.
{CAUTION
Changing a tire can be
dangerous. The vehicle can slip
off the jack and roll over or fall
on you or other people. You and
they could be badly injured or
even killed. Find a level place
to change your tire. To help
prevent the vehicle from
moving:
1. Set the parking brake
rmly.
2. Put an automatic
transmission shift lever in
P (Park), or shift a manual
transmission to 1 (First) or
R (Reverse).
(Continued)
9-60 Vehicle Service and Care
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page 9-80. Follow all manufacturers’
directions regarding correct
product usage, necessary safety
precautions and appropriate
disposal of any vehicle care product.
Rinse the vehicle well, before
washing and after to remove all
cleaning agents completely. If they
are allowed to dry on the surface,
they could stain.
Dry the nish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and
water spotting.
High pressure car washes may
cause water to enter the vehicle.
Avoid using high pressure washes
closer than 12 inches (30 cm)
to the surface of the vehicle.
Use of power washers exceeding
1,200 psi (8 274 kPa) can result
in damage or removal of paint
and decals.Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will
make them last longer, seal better,
and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth.
During very cold, damp weather
frequent application may be required.
See “Fluids and Lubricants” in the
Index of the “Maintenance and
Warranty and Owner assistance
Information” manual.
Wheels and Trim — Aluminum
or Chrome
Your vehicle may have either
aluminum or chrome-plated wheels.
Keep the wheels clean using a soft
clean cloth with mild soap and water.
Rinse with clean water. After rinsing
thoroughly, dry with a soft clean
towel. A wax may then be applied.
Notice:Chrome wheels and
other chrome trim may be
damaged if you do not wash your
vehicle after driving on roads
that have been sprayed withmagnesium, calcium or sodium
chloride. These chlorides are
used on roads for conditions
such as ice and dust. Always
wash your vehicle’s chrome with
soap and water after exposure.
Notice:If you use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes,
cleaners, brushes, or cleaners
that contain acid on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels, you
could damage the surface of the
wheel(s). The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty.
Use only approved cleaners on
aluminum or chrome-plated
wheels.
The surface of these wheels is
similar to the painted surface of your
vehicle. Do not use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes,
abrasive cleaners, cleaners with
acid, or abrasive cleaning brushes
on them because you could damage
the surface. Do not use chrome
polish on aluminum wheels.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-77
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Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep
scratches in the nish should be
repaired right away. Bare metal will
corrode quickly and may develop
into major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be
repaired with touch-up materials
available from your dealer/retailer.
Larger areas of nish damage
can be corrected in your dealer’s/
retailer’s body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow
removal and dust control can collect
on the underbody. If these are not
removed, corrosion and rust can
develop on the underbody parts such
as fuel lines, frame, oor pan, and
exhaust system even though they
have corrosion protection.
At least every spring, ush these
materials from the underbody
with plain water. Clean any areas
where mud and debris can collect.
Dirt packed in close areas of
the frame should be loosened before
being ushed. Your dealer/retailer
or an underbody car washing
system can do this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric
conditions can create a chemical
fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall
upon and attack painted surfaces on
the vehicle. This damage can take
two forms: blotchy, ring-shaped
discolorations, and small, irregular
dark spots etched into the paint
surface.
Although no defect in the paint job
causes this, we will repair, at no
charge to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this
fallout condition within 12 months
or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of
purchase, whichever occurs rst.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-79
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Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. See “Fluids and Lubricants” in the
index of the “Limited Warranty, Maintenance and Owner Assistance Information” manual.
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant For the air conditioning system refrigerant charge amount, see the refrigerant caution label located
under the hood. See your dealer/retailer for more
information.
Cooling System Automatic Transmission 6.2 qt 5.9 L
Manual Transmission 7.3 qt 6.9 L
Engine Oil with Filter 4.8 qt 4.5 L
Fuel Tank 11.9 gal 45.0 L
Transmission Fluid Automatic Transmission 4.2 qt 4.0 L
Manual Transmission 1.6 qt 1.5 L
Wheel Bolt Torque 81 lb ft 110 Y
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to ll to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual.
10-2 Technical Data
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Online Owner Center
(United States only)
This is a resource for your Saturn
ownership needs. Specic vehicle
information can be found in one
place.
The Online Owner Center allows
you to:
Get e-mail service reminders.
Access information about
your specic vehicle, including
tips and videos and an electronic
version of this owner manual.
Keep track of your vehicle’s
service history and maintenance
schedule.
Find Saturn retailers for service
nationwide.
Receive special promotions and
privileges only available to
members.
Refer to saturn.com on the web for
updated information and to
register your vehicle.
My GM Canada (Canada only)
My GM Canada is a
password-protected section of
gmcanada.com where you can save
information on GM vehicles, get
personalized offers, and use handy
tools and forms with greater ease.
Here are a few of the valuable tools
and services you will have access to:
My Showroom: Find and save
information on vehicles and
current offers in your area.
My Dealers/Retailers: Save details
such as address and phone
number for each of your preferred
GM Dealers or Retailers.
My Driveway: Receive service
reminders and helpful advice on
owning and maintaining your
vehicle.
My Preferences: Manage your
prole, subscribe to E-News
and use tools and forms with
greater ease.
To sign up, visit the My GM Canada
section within gmcanada.com.
Customer Assistance for
Text Telephone (TTY)
Users
To assist owners who have hearing
difficulties, Saturn has installed
special TDD (Telecommunication
Devices for the Deaf) equipment in
its Saturn Customer Assistance
Center.
Any hearing or speech-impaired
customer who has access to a TDD
or to a conventional Text Telephone
(TTY) can communicate with
Saturn by dialing 1-800-TDD-6000.
TTY users in Canada may dial
1-800-263-3830.
11-4 Customer Information
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A
Accessories and
Modications...................... 9-3
Accessory Power Outlets......4-10
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle....1-35
Additives, Fuel.....................8-36
Add-On Electrical
Equipment.......................9-33
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.......9-11
Air Conditioning..................... 7-1
Airbag
Passenger Status
Indicator.......................4-15
Readiness Light................4-14
System, Replacing Parts
After a Crash................1-36
Airbag System.....................1-23
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle........................1-35
Check.............................1-36
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?.....................1-28
Servicing Your
Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle........................1-34Airbag System (cont.)
What Makes an Airbag
Inate?........................1-28
What Will You See After
an Airbag Inates?........1-29
When Should an Airbag
Inate?........................1-27
Where Are the
Airbags?..............1-25, 1-30
Antenna, Fixed Mast............6-25
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)..................8-18
Anti-lock Brake, System
Warning Light...................4-18
Appearance Care
Chemical Paint Spotting.....9-79
Exterior Cleaning..............9-75
Finish Damage.................9-79
Interior Cleaning...............9-72
Sheet Metal Damage........9-78
Underbody Maintenance....9-79
Vehicle Care/Appearance
Materials
......................9-80
Appointments, Scheduling
Service...........................11-8Audio System........................ 6-1
Audio Steering Wheel
Controls.......................6-24
Fixed Mast Antenna..........6-25
Radio Reception...............6-25
Theft-Deterrent Feature......6-24
Audio System(s).................... 6-2
Automatic Transmission
Fluid...............................9-12
Operation.......................... 8-5
B
Battery...............................9-25
Run-Down Protection.......... 5-4
Brakes...............................9-22
System Warning Light.......4-17
Braking...............................8-17
Break-In, New Vehicle............ 8-2
Bulb Replacement................9-28
Front Turn Signal Lamps . . . 9-28
Halogen Bulbs..................9-28
Headlamp Aiming..............9-26
License Plate Lamps.........9-32
Replacement Bulbs...........9-33
Taillamps.................9-29, 9-30
Buying New Tires.................9-54
INDEX i-1
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C
California Fuel.....................8-35
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements....... 9-3
California Proposition 65
Warning............................ 9-3
Canadian Owners..................... ii
Capacities and
Specications...................10-2
Carbon Monoxide.........8-14, 8-27
Care, Safety Belts................1-22
Cargo Cover......................... 3-1
Cargo Tie Downs................... 3-1
Cautions and Notices............... iii
Chains, Tire........................9-59
Charging System Light..........4-17
Check
Engine Light....................4-20
Chemical Paint Spotting........9-79
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems.....1-41
Infants and Young
Children.......................1-38
Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children.......1-45Child Restraints (cont.)
Older Children..................1-37
Securing..................1-50, 1-53
Where to Put the
Restraint......................1-43
Cleaning
Exterior...........................9-75
Interior............................9-72
Underbody Maintenance....9-79
Climate Control System.......... 7-1
Outlet Adjustment............... 7-4
Clutch, Hydraulic..................9-12
Collision Damage Repair.....11-10
Compact Spare Tire.............9-67
Content Theft-Deterrent.......... 2-9
Control of a Vehicle..............8-17
Coolant
Engine............................9-12
Engine Temperature
Warning Light...............4-19
Cooling System...................
9-16
Cruise Control....................... 4-5
Cruise Control Light..............4-24
Cupholders........................... 3-1Customer Assistance
Information
Courtesy
Transportation.......11-4, 11-8
Customer Assistance
Offices.........................11-5
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure....................11-1
GM Mobility
Reimbursement
Program.......................11-5
Reporting Safety
Defects to
Saturn........................11-14
Reporting Safety
Defects to the
Canadian
Government................11-14
Reporting Safety Defects
to the United States
Government................11-13
Roadside Assistance
Program.......................11-5
Service Publications
Ordering Information.....11-14
i-2 INDEX
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