ESP SATURN ASTRA 2008 Owners Manual

or the instrument panel... or the safety belts!
With safety belts, you slow down as
the vehicle does. You get more time
to stop. You stop over more distance,
and your strongest bones take the
forces. That is why safety belts make
such good sense.
Questions and Answers About
Safety Belts
Q:
Will I be trapped in the vehicle
after a crash if I am wearing a
safety belt?
A:Youcouldbe — whether you are
wearing a safety belt or not. But
your chance of being conscious
during and after an accident, so
youcanunbuckle and get out, is
muchgreater if you are belted.
And you can unbuckle a safety
belt, even if you are upside down.
Q:If my vehicle has airbags, why
should I have to wear safety
belts?
A:Airbags are supplemental
systems only; so they workwith
safety belts — not instead of
them. Whether or not an airbag
is provided, all occupants still
have to buckle up to get the most
protection. That is true not only in
frontal collisions, but especially in
side and other collisions.
Seats and Restraints 1-11
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Doors and Locks
Door Locks
{CAUTION
Unlocked doors can be
dangerous.
Passengers, especially
children, can easily open the
doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a door
is locked, the handle will not
open it. You increase the
chance of being thrown out
of the vehicle in a crash if
the doors are not locked. So,
wear safety belts properly
and lock the doors whenever
you drive.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Young children who get into
unlocked vehicles may be
unable to get out. A child can
be overcome by extreme heat
and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from
heat stroke. Always lock your
vehicle whenever you leave it.
Outsiders can easily enter
through an unlocked door
when you slow down or stop
your vehicle. Locking your
doors can help prevent this
from happening.
To manually lock or unlock your
vehicle, use the key in the driver’s
door from the outside to unlock
it. When the driver door is opened
the entire vehicle is unlocked. There
are also window sill knobs that
unlock each door from the inside.
Power Door Locks
The power door lock switch is
located on the instrument panel.
T(Door Lock):Press to lock
or unlock the doors, liftgate, and the
fuel tank door.
If the driver’s door is not closed
properly, the power door lock switch
will not lock the doors.
When the vehicle has been
unlocked, the key is not in the
ignition, and no door is opened the
vehicle will automatically lock
itself again after one minute.
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-5
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Notice:If you open the liftgate
without checking for overhead
obstructions such as a garage
door, you could damage the
liftgate or the liftgate glass.
Always check to make sure the
area above and behind the liftgate
is clear before opening it.
Press the touchpad located in the
handle of the liftgate and lift up
to open.Use the inside pull handle to lower
and close the liftgate.
Do not press the touchpad while
closing the liftgate. This will
cause the liftgate to be unlatched.
Always close the liftgate before
driving.Theft-Deterrent
Systems
Vehicle theft is big business,
especially in some cities. This
vehicle has theft-deterrent features,
however, they do not make it
impossible to steal.
Immobilizer
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause
interference.
2. This device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause
undesired operation.
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-7
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Windows
{CAUTION
Leaving children, helpless
adults, or pets in a vehicle
with the windows closed is
dangerous. They can be
overcome by the extreme heat
and suffer permanent injuries
or even death from heat stroke.
Never leave a child, a helpless
adult, or a pet alone in a
vehicle, especially with the
windows closed in warm or hot
weather.
Power Windows
{CAUTION
Leaving children in a vehicle
with the keys is dangerous for
many reasons, children or
others could be badly injured
or even killed. They could
operate the power windows or
other controls or even make the
vehicle move. The windows will
function and they could be
seriously injured or killed if
caught in the path of a closing
window. Do not leave keys in a
vehicle with children.
When there are children in
the rear seat use the window
lockout button to prevent
unintentional operation of
the windows.
2-10 Keys, Doors and Windows
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OnStar service cannot work unless
your vehicle is in a place where
OnStar has an agreement with a
wireless service provider for service
in that area. OnStar service also
cannot work unless you are in a
place where the wireless service
provider OnStar has hired for that
area has coverage, network capacity
and reception when the service is
needed, and technology that is
compatible with the OnStar service.
Not all services are available
everywhere, particularly in remote
or enclosed areas, or at all times.OnStar service that involves location
information about your vehicle
cannot work unless GPS satellite
signals are unobstructed and
available in that place as well.
Your vehicle must have a working
electrical system (including adequate
battery power) for the OnStar
equipment to operate. There are
other problems OnStar cannot
control that may prevent OnStar
from providing service to you at
any particular time or place. Some
examples are damage to important
parts of your vehicle in an accident,
hills, tall buildings, tunnels, weather
or wireless phone network
congestion.Your Responsibility
You may need to increase the
volume of your radio to hear the
OnStar advisor. If the light next to the
OnStar buttons is red, this means
that your system is not functioning
properly and should be checked
by your dealer/retailer. If the light
appears clear (no light is appearing),
your OnStar subscription has
expired. You can always press the
OnStar button to conrm that your
OnStar equipment is active.
Instruments and Controls 4-41
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Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can
make it easier for others to see
the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many
different driving conditions, but they
can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before
sunset. Fully functional daytime
running lamps are required on all
vehicles rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system makes the
low-beam headlamps turn on at
a reduced brightness when
the following conditions are met:
The engine is running.
The light sensor determines it
is night and the exterior lamps
control is in the off position.
The light sensor determines
it is daytime.The taillamps and other lamps will
be off.
The DRL turns off when the engine
is not running.
The regular headlamps or parking
lamps should be used when needed.
Delayed Headlamps
Vehicles with headlamp exit delay,
keep the headlamps and taillamps
on for 30 seconds.
To activate:
1. Turn the ignition off and remove
the key from the ignition.
2. Open the driver door.
3. Pull the multifunction lever
toward the steering wheel.
To deactivate, do either of the
following:
Insert the key into the ignition.
Pull the multifunction lever toward
the steering wheel again while
the driver door is open.
Fog Lamps
For vehicles with fog lamps, the
button is located on the instrument
panel, to the left of the steering
wheel.
The ignition and headlamps or
parking lamps must be on to turn on
the fog lamps. The fog lamps will not
turn on if the high beam headlamps
or ash to pass are active.
Press the button to turn the fog
lamps on or off. An indicator light on
the instrument panel cluster comes
on when the fog lamps are on.
Some localities have laws that
require the headlamps to be
on along with the fog lamps.
5-2 Lighting
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X:Press to toggle between the
radio and CD or MP3 as an
active source for playback.
^/_:Press the arrows to go back
or advance to the previous or
next preset station if playing the
radio. Press and hold to scroll
through the preset stations.
Press to go back or advance one
track at a time on a CD.
Press to quickly reverse or advance
through the tracks within a CD.
3(volume):Turn the rotary
control to adjust the volume. Press
and hold to adjust the volume
continuously.
Radio Reception
Frequency interference and static
can occur during normal radio
reception if items such as cell phone
chargers, vehicle convenience
accessories, and external electronic
devices are plugged into the
accessory power outlet. If there is
interference or static, unplug the item
from the accessory power outlet.
AM
The range for most AM stations is
greater than for FM, especially at
night. The longer range can cause
station frequencies to interfere with
each other. For better radio
reception, most AM radio stations
boost the power levels during the
day, and then reduce these levels
during the night. Static can also
occur when things like storms and
power lines interfere with radio
reception. When this happens, try
reducing the treble on your radio.
FM Stereo
FM stereo gives the best sound,
but FM signals only reach about
10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km).
Tall buildings or hills can interfere
with FM signals, causing the
sound to fade in and out.
Fixed Mast Antenna
The xed mast antenna can
withstand most car washes without
being damaged, or it can be
removed. If the mast should ever
become slightly bent, straighten
it out by hand. If the mast is badly
bent, replace it.
Check occasionally to make sure
the mast is still tightened to the
antenna base located on the roof of
the vehicle.
Infotainment 6-25
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Your vehicle has a
Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects
components. If the ignition key is
turned to the START position,
and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the
engine will continue cranking for a
few seconds or until the vehicle
starts. If the engine does not start
and the key is held in START for
many seconds, cranking will be
stopped after 15 seconds to
prevent cranking motor damage.
To prevent gear damage, this
system also prevents cranking if
the engine is already running.
Engine cranking can be stopped
by turning the ignition switch to
STEERING UNLOCKED/
IGNITION OFF or LOCK/OFF.
Notice:Cranking the engine for
long periods of time, by returning
the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has
ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain thebattery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after
5-10 seconds, especially in very
cold weather (below 0°F or
−18°C), it could be ooded with
too much gasoline. Try pushing
the accelerator pedal all the way
to the oor and holding it there as
you hold the key in START for up
to a maximum of 15 seconds.
Wait at least 15 seconds between
each try, to let the cranking motor
cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and
accelerator. If the vehicle starts
briey but then stops again, do
the same thing. This clears the
extra gasoline from the engine.
Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.Notice:The engine is designed
to work with the electronics in the
vehicle. If you add electrical parts
or accessories, you could change
the way the engine operates.
Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your
dealer/retailer. If you do not,
the engine might not perform
properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Engine Heater
The engine heater can provide
easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up
in cold weather conditions at or
below−4°F (−20°C). Vehicles with
an engine heater should be plugged
in at least four hours before starting.
8-4 Driving and Operating
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Medical research shows that alcohol
in a person’s system can make crash
injuries worse, especially injuries
to the brain, spinal cord, or heart.
This means that when anyone who
has been drinking — driver or
passenger — is in a crash, that
person’s chance of being killed or
permanently disabled is higher than
if the person had not been drinking.
Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help
to control your vehicle while
driving — brakes, steering, and
accelerator. At times, as when
driving on snow or ice, it is easy to
ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide.
Meaning, you can lose control of
your vehicle.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 9-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 4-17.
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. First, you
have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then
you have to bring up your foot and
do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about
three-fourths of a second. But that
is only an average. It might be
less with one driver and as long
as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical
condition, alertness, coordination,
and eyesight all play a part.
So do alcohol, drugs, and
frustration. But even in three-fourths
of a second, a vehicle moving at
60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet
(20 m). That could be a lot of
distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.And, of course, actual stopping
distances vary greatly with the
surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of
the road, whether it is wet, dry, or icy;
tire tread; the condition of the brakes;
the weight of the vehicle; and the
amount of brake force applied.
Avoid needless heavy
braking. Some people drive in
spurts — heavy acceleration
followed by heavy braking — rather
than keeping pace with traffic. This
is a mistake. The brakes might not
have time to cool between hard
stops. The brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking.
If you keep pace with the traffic and
allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
Driving and Operating 8-17
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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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