ABS SATURN ASTRA 2008 Owners Manual

Instruments and
Controls
Instrument Panel
Overview
Instrument Panel
Overview...........................4-2
Hazard Warning Flashers. . .4-4
Horn...................................4-4
Tilt Wheel...........................4-4
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever................................4-4
Cruise Control....................4-5
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals.............................4-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer............................4-8
Flash-to-Pass......................4-8
Windshield Wipers..............4-9
Windshield Washer...........4-10
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer...........................4-10
Accessory Power
Outlet(s)..........................4-10
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators.................4-11
Instrument Panel Cluster. . .4-12
Speedometer and
Odometer........................4-13
Trip Odometer(s)...............4-13
Tachometer.......................4-13
Safety Belt Reminders......4-14
Airbag Readiness Light.....4-14
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator..........................4-15
Charging System Light......4-17
Brake System Warning
Light................................4-17
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light.......4-18
StabiliTrak®Indicator
Light................................4-19
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
................................4-19
Tire Pressure Light...........4-19
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp................4-20
Oil Pressure Light.............4-22
Low Oil Level Light...........4-23
Winter Driving Mode
Light................................4-23
Fog Lamp Light................4-23
Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder........................4-24Cruise Control Light..........4-24
Highbeam On Light...........4-24
Door Ajar Light.................4-24
Service Vehicle Soon
Light................................4-24
Fuel Gage........................4-25
Low Fuel Warning Light. . . .4-25
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
Driver Information
Center (DIC)...................4-26
DIC Operation and
Displays (Base Level
DIC and Audio)
...............4-27
DIC Operation and
Displays (Uplevel
DIC and Audio)
...............4-31
DIC Warnings and
Messages (Base and
Uplevel Systems)
............4-37
OnStar®System
OnStar®System................4-38
Instruments and Controls 4-1
ProCarManuals.com

If the light comes on while driving,
a chime will sound. 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 9-72.
{CAUTION
The brake system may not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to
an accident. If the light is still
on after the vehicle has been
pulled off the road and carefully
stopped, have the vehicle
towed for service.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
light will come on briey, as a check,
when you start your vehicle.
If it does not, have your vehicle
serviced so that the light works
properly when it needs to.
If the light stays on longer than a
few seconds after you start your
engine, or comes on and stays on
while you are driving, try resetting
the system. To reset the system:
1. If you are driving, pull over when
it is safe to do so. It may take
longer to stop the vehicle.
2. Place the vehicle in PARK (P).3. Turn off the ignition.
4. Then restart the engine.
If the light remains on after resetting
the system or comes on again while
driving, your vehicle needs service.
The antilock brakes are not working
properly and there might be a
problem stopping the vehicle. Pull
off the road and stop. It may take
longer to stop the vehicle. If the light
is still on, have the vehicle towed for
service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle
on page 9-72for more information.
{CAUTION
Your brake system may not be
working properly if the Antilock
Brake System (ABS) light is on.
Driving with the ABS light on
can lead to an accident. If the
light is still on after you have
pulled off the road and stopped
carefully, have the vehicle
towed for service.
4-18 Instruments and Controls
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Driving and
Operating
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In.........8-2
Ignition Positions................8-2
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP).....................8-3
Starting the Engine.............8-3
Engine Heater....................8-4
Automatic Transmission
Operation..........................8-5
Manual Transmission
Operation..........................8-9
Parking Brake...................8-10
Shifting Into Park..............8-11
Shifting Out of Park..........8-13
Parking the Vehicle...........8-13
Parking Over Things
That Burn........................8-13
Engine Exhaust.................8-14
Running the Vehicle
While Parked..................8-14
Driving Your Vehicle
Defensive Driving..............8-16
Drunk Driving....................8-16
Control of a Vehicle..........8-17
Braking.............................8-17
Antilock Brake
System (ABS).................8-18
StabiliTrak®System..........8-19
Steering............................8-20
Off-Road Recovery............8-22
Passing.............................8-23
Loss of Control.................8-23
Driving at Night.................8-24
Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads......................8-25
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip........................8-26
Highway Hypnosis.............8-26
Hill and Mountain
Roads.............................8-26
Winter Driving...................8-27
If Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow
..........................8-29
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out.......................8-30
Loading the Vehicle..........8-30
Fuel
Fuel..................................8-35
Gasoline Octane...............8-35
Gasoline Specications.....8-35
California Fuel..................8-35
Additives...........................8-36
Fuels in Foreign
Countries........................8-36
Filling the Tank.................8-37
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container........................8-38
Driving and Operating 8-1
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If your vehicle’s engine ever stops
while you are driving, brake normally
but do not pump the brakes. If you
do, the pedal could get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you
will still have some power brake
assist. But you will use it when you
brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it can take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 9-3.Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Antilock
Brake System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that
will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start the engine and
begin to drive away, ABS will check
itself. You might hear a momentary
motor or clicking noise while this
test is going on, and you might even
notice that the brake pedal moves a
little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS,
this warning light will stay on.
SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on page 4-18.Let us say the road is wet and you
are driving safely. Suddenly, an
animal jumps out in front of you.
You slam on the brakes and
continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels
are slowing down. If one of
the wheels is about to stop rolling,
the computer will separately
work the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake
pressure faster than any driver could.
The computer is programmed to
make the most of available tire and
road conditions. This can help you
steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps
receiving updates on wheel speed
and controls braking pressure
accordingly.
8-18 Driving and Operating
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Remember: ABS does not change
the time you need to get your foot
up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance. If you
get too close to the vehicle in front of
you, you will not have time to apply
the brakes if that vehicle suddenly
slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though
you have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down rmly and
let antilock work for you. You might
hear the antilock pump or motor
operate, and feel the brake
pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
you more than even the very best
braking.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle may have StabiliTrak
which combines antilock brake,
traction and stability control systems
and helps the driver maintain
directional control of the vehicle
in most driving conditions.
When you rst start your vehicle and
begin to drive away, the system
performs several diagnostic checks
to ensure there are no problems.
You may hear or feel the system
working. This is normal and does not
mean there is a problem with your
vehicle. The system should initialize
before the vehicle reaches 20 mph
(32 km/h).
The system monitors vehicle
movements, and helps the driver
maintain control of the vehicle in
most driving situations. When the
vehicle’s stability is affected the
engine output is reduced, and the
brakes are applied to individual
wheels.When you turn the ignition on,
this light on the instrument panel
cluster will come on for a few
seconds, then go out when the
system is ready.
You may also feel or hear the
system working; this is normal.
StabiliTrak is automatically enabled
whenever you start your vehicle.
To assist the driver with vehicle
directional control, especially in
slippery road conditions, you should
always leave the system on. But, you
can turn it off if you ever need to.
Driving and Operating 8-19
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If your vehicle starts to slide, ease
your foot off the accelerator pedal
and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering
quickly enough, your vehicle may
straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when
water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material is on the road. For safety,
you want to slow down and
adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow
down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance is longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with
reduced traction, try your best to
avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing
vehicle speed by shifting to a lower
gear. Any sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You
might not realize the surface isslippery until your vehicle is
skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water,
ice, or packed snow on the road to
make a mirrored surface — and
slow down when you have any
doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake
System (ABS) helps avoid only the
braking skid.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous
than day driving because some
drivers are likely to be impaired — by
alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by
adjusting the inside rearview
mirror.
Slow down and keep more space
between you and other vehicles
because headlamps can only
light up so much road ahead.
Watch for animals.
When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into
approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all glass
on your vehicle clean — inside
and out.
Keep your eyes moving,
especially during turns or curves.
No one can see as well at night as
in the daytime. But, as we get
older, these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver might need
at least twice as much light to see
the same thing at night as a
20-year-old.
8-24 Driving and Operating
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You can get wet ice when it is about
freezing, 32°F (0°C), and freezing
rain begins to fall. Try to avoid driving
on wet ice until salt and sand crews
can get there.
Whatever the condition — smooth
ice, packed, blowing, or loose
snow — drive with caution.
Accelerate gently. Try not to
break the fragile traction. If you
accelerate too fast, the drive wheels
will spin and polish the surface
under the tires even more.
The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
improves your vehicle’s stability
when you make a hard stop
on a slippery road. Even though you
have ABS, begin stopping soonerthan you would on dry pavement.
SeeAntilock Brake System
(ABS) on page 8-18.
Allow greater following distance
on any slippery road.
Watch for slippery spots. The
road might be ne until you hit
a spot that is covered with ice.
On an otherwise clear road, ice
patches can appear in shaded
areas where the sun cannot
reach, such as around clumps of
trees, behind buildings, or under
bridges. Sometimes the surface
of a curve or an overpass can
remain icy when the surrounding
roads are clear. If you see a patch
of ice ahead of you, brake before
you are on it. Try not to brake
while you are actually on the ice,
and avoid sudden steering
maneuvers.
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard
If you are stopped by heavy
snow, you could be in a serious
situation. You should probably
stay with your vehicle unless you
know for sure that you are near
help and you can hike through the
snow. Here are some things to do
to summon help and keep yourself
and your passengers safe:
Turn on the hazard warning
ashers.
Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to
alert police that you have been
stopped by the snow.
Put on extra clothing or wrap a
blanket around you. If you do not
have blankets or extra clothing,
make body insulators from
newspapers, burlap bags, rags,
oor mats — anything you can
wrap around yourself or tuck
under your clothing to keep warm.
You can run the engine to keep
warm, but be careful.
8-28 Driving and Operating
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9. Make sure that the light from the
headlamp is positioned at the
bottom edge of the horizontal
tape line. The lamp on the left (A)
shows the correct headlamp aim.
The lamp on the right (B) shows
the incorrect headlamp aim.
10. Repeat Steps 7 through 9 for
the opposite headlamp.
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement
bulbs, seeReplacement Bulbs
on page 9-33.
For any bulb changing procedure
not listed in this section, contact
your dealer/retailer.
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION
Halogen bulbs have
pressurized gas inside and can
burst if you drop or scratch the
bulb. You or others could be
injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the
bulb package.
Front Turn Signal Lamps
1. The bulbs of the turn signal lamp
are replaced through openings in
the front wheel wells. Turn the
wheel to gain access to the push
tabs and remove the cover.
9-28 Vehicle Service and Care
ProCarManuals.com

4. Turn the nuts counterclockwise
and hold the outside of taillamp
assembly.
5. Pull the taillamp assembly
straight out.
6. Remove the three nuts.
7. Press on the tabs on the outside
of bulb assembly and remove the
bulb assembly.
8. Remove the bulb from the bulb
assembly.9. Install a new bulb without
touching the glass.
10. Reinstall the bulb assembly in
taillamp assembly.
11. Make sure the seals are applied
to the taillamp assembly and
screws.
12. Insert the taillamp assembly
into the body.
13. Reinstall the three nuts.
14. Attach the plug connector to the
bulb assembly.
Taillamps
(Three-Door Hatchback)
A. Backup Lamp
B. Taillamp
C. Taillamp/Stoplamp/Turn
Signal Lamp
9-30 Vehicle Service and Care
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To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Open the liftgate. SeeLiftgate on
page 2-6for more information.
2. Detach the plug connector from
the bulb assembly.
3. Turn the nuts counterclockwise
and hold the outside of taillamp
assembly.
4. Pull the taillamp assembly
straight out.5. Remove the seal.
6. Press on the tabs on outside of
bulb assembly and remove the
bulb assembly.
7. Remove the bulb from the bulb
assembly.
8. Install a new bulb without
touching the glass.
9. Reinstall the bulb assembly in
taillamp assembly.10. Make sure the seals are applied
to the taillamp assembly and
screws.
11. Insert the taillamp assembly
into the body.
12. Reinstall the three nuts.
13. Attach the plug connector to the
bulb assembly.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-31
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