instrument cluster SATURN ASTRA 2009 User Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: SATURN, Model Year: 2009, Model line: ASTRA, Model: SATURN ASTRA 2009Pages: 314, PDF Size: 1.94 MB
Page 152 of 314

Automatic Transmission
Operation
If the vehicle has an automatic
transmission, the shift lever
is located on the console between
the seats.
The vehicle may also have an
electronic shift position indicator that
displays the position of the shift
lever. This indicator is located above
the trip odometer on the instrument
panel cluster.P (Park):This position locks the
front wheels. It is the best position to
use when the engine is started
because the vehicle cannot move
easily.
{CAUTION
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running unless you have
to. If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set the
parking brake and move the shift
lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park on page 8-11.Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the
engine. The vehicle has an
automatic transmission shift lock
control system. The regular brakes
must be applied before you can
shift from P (Park) when the ignition
key is in ON/RUN. If you cannot
shift out of P (Park) while holding the
brake pedal down, seeShifting
Out of Park on page 8-12.
R (Reverse):Use this gear to
back up.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse)
only after the vehicle is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and
forth to get out of snow, ice, or sand
without damaging the transmission,
seeRocking Your Vehicle to Get
It Out on page 8-29.
8-6 Driving and Operating
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Page 157 of 314

A warning chime will sound and a
brake warning light located on the
instrument panel cluster will come
on, if the parking brake is set, the
ignition is on and the vehicle speed is
greater than 5 mph (8 km/h).
Notice:Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the
brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to
brake system parts. Make
sure that the parking brake is
fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.Shifting Into Park
{CAUTION
It can be dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the shift lever is not
fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake rmly set. The vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and
set the parking brake. See
Parking Brake on page 8-10for
more information.2. Move the shift lever into P (Park)
by holding in the button on the
shift lever and pushing the
shift lever all the way toward the
front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to
LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with
you. If you can leave the vehicle
with the ignition key in your
hand, the vehicle is in P (Park).
Driving and Operating 8-11
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Page 165 of 314

Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.
StabiliTrak®System
The 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 the vehicle is rst started and
driven away, the system performs
several diagnostic checks to ensure
there are no problems. The system
may be heard or felt while it is
working. This is normal and does not
mean there is a problem with the
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.
This light on the instrument panel
cluster will come on brie y when the
ignition is turned on.
StabiliTrak is automatically enabled
whenever the vehicle is started. To
assist the driver with vehicle
directional control, especially in
slippery road conditions, the system
should always be left on. The system
can be turned off if needed.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. It may also be
necessary to turn off the system
when driving in extreme off-road
conditions where high wheel spin is
required. SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 8-29.
StabiliTrak may also turn off
automatically if it determines that a
problem exists with the system.
The light on the instrument panel
cluster will be on solid to warn
the driver that StabiliTrak is disabled
and requires service. If the problem
does not clear after restarting
the vehicle, see your dealer/retailer
for service.
Driving and Operating 8-19
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Page 191 of 314

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 9-11.
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap.Engine Oil
on page 9-7.
C. Brake Fluid Reservoir.Brakes
on page 9-22.
D. Coolant Reservoir.Cooling
System on page 9-12.
E. Coolant Reservoir Pressure Cap.
Pressure Cap on page 9-18.
F.Engine Compartment Fuse Block
on page 9-35.
G.Battery on page 9-25.
H.Windshield Washer Fluid on
page 9-20.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick.Engine Oil
on page 9-7.Engine Oil
If the low oil level light appears on
the instrument cluster, check the
engine oil level right away. SeeLow
Oil Level Light on page 4-22.
Check the engine oil level regularly;
this is just a reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the
engine oil level at each fuel ll.
In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the
vehicle must be on level ground.The engine oil dipstick handle
is a yellow loop. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 9-6
for the location of the engine oil
dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the
oil several minutes to drain back
into the oil pan. If this is not
done, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. Pull the dipstick and clean it with
a paper towel or cloth, then push
it back in all the way. Remove
it again, keeping the tip down and
check the level.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-7
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