headlamps SATURN ASTRA 2009 Owners Manual

Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
To signal a turn, move the lever all
the way up or down, past the
detent. The lever returns to its
starting position when released.
An arrow on the instrument panel
cluster ashes in the direction of the
turn or lane change.
To signal a lane change, raise or
lower the lever until the arrow starts
to ash, and then release the
lever. Do not move the lever past
the detent. The turn signal will
automatically ash three times and
turn off.
To cancel it before turning, move
the lever slightly in either direction.
Do not past the detent.
If the turn signal is moved up or down
and left engaged, the headlamps and
taillamps will remain on and the
battery could be drained.
Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer
23
(Headlamp High/Low
Beam Changer):To change the
headlamps from low to high
beam, push the multifunction lever
towards the instrument panel.
To return to low-beam headlamps,
push the lever towards the
instrument panel again or pull the
lever toward you. Then release it.
This indicator light on the instrument
panel cluster is on while the high
beam headlamps are on.
Flash-to-Pass
Pull the turn signal/multifunction
lever towards you to ash the high
beams from low beam.
Windshield Wipers
Clear ice and snow from the wiper
blades before using them. If the
wiper blades are frozen to the
windshield, gently loosen or thaw
them. If the blades do become
damaged, install new blades or blade
inserts. SeeWindshield Wiper Blade
Replacement on page 9-21.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the
wiper motor. A circuit breaker will
stop the motor until it cools down.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent
an overload.
4-8 Instruments and Controls
ProCarManuals.com

Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder
This light comes on whenever the
exterior lights are off.
SeeExterior Lamps Controls on
page 5-1for more information.
Cruise Control Light
This light comes on whenever you
set the cruise control.
The light goes out when the cruise
control is turned off or disengaged.
SeeCruise Control on page 4-5
for more information.
Highbeam On Light
This light comes on when the
high-beam headlamps are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer on page 4-8for more
information.
Door Ajar Light
This light comes on when a door or
liftgate is open. Before driving,
check that all doors are properly
closed.
Service Vehicle Soon
Light
This light should come one briey
when the ignition is turned on
as a check to let you know that the
light is working.
This light will come on if a condition
exists that may require the vehicle
to be taken in for service.
If the light comes on and stays on,
see your dealer/retailer for
service as soon as possible.
Instruments and Controls 4-23
ProCarManuals.com

Lighting
Lighting
Exterior Lamps Controls.....5-1
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)....................5-2
Delayed Headlamps............5-2
Fog Lamps.........................5-2
Instrument Panel
Brightness.........................5-3
Dome Lamp(s)....................5-3
Entry Lighting.....................5-3
Reading Lamps..................5-3
Trunk Lamp........................5-4
Battery Run-Down
Protection.........................5-4
Lighting
Exterior Lamps Controls
The exterior lamp control is
located on the instrument panel to
the left of the steering wheel.
Turn the exterior lamp control to the
following positions:
T(Off):Turns off the exterior lamps.AUTO (Automatic):Turns the
exterior lamps on and off
automatically, depending upon
outside lighting.
;(Parking Lamps):Turns on the
parking lamps together with the
following:
Taillamps
Sidemarkers
License Plate Lamps
2(Headlamps):Turns on the
headlamps, together with the
previously listed lamps.
After 15 minutes with the ignition
switched off and the low-beam
headlamps on, the parking lamps
turn on.
Lighting 5-1
ProCarManuals.com

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 use
the fog lamps. The fog lamps will not
turn on if the high beam headlamps
or ash to pass are active.
#:Press 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
ProCarManuals.com

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 is slippery until
the 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.
Driving and Operating 8-23
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 8-29.
{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 9-60.
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
stability system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a
forward gear, or with a manual
transmission, between 1 (First) or
2 (Second) and R (Reverse),
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 9-73.
Driving and Operating 8-29
ProCarManuals.com

Headlamp Aiming
The optical headlamp aiming system
has been preset at the factory and
should need no further adjustment.
However, If the vehicle is damaged
in a crash, the headlamp aim may be
affected and adjustment may be
necessary.
If oncoming vehicles ash their high
beams at you, this may also mean
the vertical aim needs to be adjusted.
It is recommended that the vehicle
is taken to your dealer/retailer for
service if the headlamps need to be
re-aimed. It is possible however,
to re-aim the headlamps as
described.The vehicle should:Be placed so the headlamps
are 25 ft. (7.6 m) from a light
colored wall.
Have all four tires on a perfectly
level surface which is level all
the way to the wall.
Be placed so it is perpendicular
to the wall.
Not have any snow, ice, or
mudonit.
Be fully assembled and all other
work stopped while headlamp
aiming is being done.
Have a full tank of fuel and
one person or 160 lbs (75 kg)
on the driver seat.
Have all tires properly inated.
Headlamp aiming is done with
the vehicle’s low-beam headlamps.
The high-beam headlamps will
be correctly aimed if the low-beam
headlamps are aimed properly.To adjust the vertical aim on the
headlamps:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood
Release on page 9-5for
more information.
2. Locate the aim dot on the lens of
the low-beam headlamp.
3. Record the distance from the
ground to the aim dot on the
low-beam headlamp.
9-26 Vehicle Service and Care
ProCarManuals.com

4. At a wall, measure from the
ground upward (A) to the
recorded distance from Step 3
and mark it.
5. Draw or tape a horizontal line (B)
on the wall the width of the
vehicle at the height of the mark
in Step 4.Notice:Do not cover a headlamp
to improve beam cut-off when
aiming. Covering a headlamp may
cause excessive heat build-up
which may cause damage to the
headlamp.
6. Turn on the low-beam headlamps
and place a piece of cardboard
or equivalent in front of the
headlamp not being adjusted.
Do not place it directly on
the headlamp. This allows only
the beam of light from the
headlamp being adjusted to be
seen on the at surface.7. Locate the vertical headlamp
aiming screws, which are
under the hood near each
headlamp assembly.
The adjustment screw can be
turned with a 6 mm socket
wrench.
8. Turn the vertical aiming screw
until the headlamp beam is
aimed to the horizontal
tape line. Turn it clockwise or
counterclockwise to raise
or lower the angle of the beam.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-27
ProCarManuals.com

Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Halogen Bulbs..................9-28
Headlamp Aiming..............9-26
Headlamps......................9-28
License Plate Lamps.........9-33
Replacement Bulbs...........9-34
Taillamps.................9-30, 9-32
Buying New Tires.................9-54
C
California Fuel.....................8-34
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................1-23
Cargo Cover......................... 3-2
Cargo Tie Downs................... 3-2
Cautions and Notices............... iii
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........9-29Chains, Tire........................9-60
Charging System Light..........4-16
Check
Engine Lamp...................4-18
Chemical Paint Spotting........9-80
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems.....1-43
Infants and Young
Children.......................1-40
Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children.......1-46
Older Children..................1-38
Securing..................1-51, 1-53
Where to Put the
Restraint......................1-44
Cleaning
Exterior...........................9-76
Interior............................9-73
Underbody Maintenance....9-80
Climate Control System.......... 7-1
Outlet Adjustment............... 7-4
Clutch, Hydraulic..................9-12
Collision Damage Repair.....12-10
Compact Spare Tire.............9-68
Content Theft-Deterrent.......... 2-9
Control of a Vehicle..............8-17Coolant
Engine............................9-16
Engine Temperature
Warning Light...............
4-18
Cooling System...................9-12
Courtesy
Transportation..........12-5, 12-9
Cruise Control....................... 4-5
Cruise Control Light..............4-23
Cupholders........................... 3-1
Customer Information
Courtesy
Transportation.......12-5, 12-9
Customer Assistance
Offices.........................12-5
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure....................12-1
GM Mobility
Reimbursement
Program.......................12-6
Online Owner Center.........12-4
Reporting Safety Defects
to Saturn....................12-14
Reporting Safety Defects
to the Canadian
Government................12-14
i-2 INDEX
ProCarManuals.com

Customer Information (cont.)
Reporting Safety Defects
to the United States
Government................12-14
Roadside Assistance
Program.......................12-6
Service Publications
Ordering Information.....12-15
D
Defensive Driving.................8-16
Delayed Headlamps............... 5-2
Doing Your Own
Service Work..................... 9-4
Dome Lamps ........................ 5-3
Door
Ajar Light........................4-23
Locks............................... 2-5
Power Door Locks.............. 2-6
Rear Door Security Locks.... 2-6
Driver Information
Center (DIC)....................4-25
DIC Operation and
Displays...............4-26, 4-32
DIC Warnings and
Messages....................4-36Driving
At Night..........................8-23
Before a Long Trip............8-25
Defensive........................8-16
Drunken..........................8-16
Highway Hypnosis............8-25
Hill and Mountain Roads....8-26
In Rain and on Wet
Roads.........................8-24
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get it Out ....................8-29
Winter.............................8-27
Winter Mode Light............4-22
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy.........................8-15
E
EDR .................................12-16
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment............9-34
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block...................9-35
Fuses.............................9-35
Headlamp Wiring..............9-34
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block...........................9-37Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter...............9-11
Check and Service Engine
Soon Lamp..................4-18
Coolant...........................9-16
Coolant Temperature
Warning Light...............4-18
Drive Belt Routing...........11-15
Engine Compartment
Overview....................... 9-6
Exhaust...........................8-14
Oil ................................... 9-7
Oil Life System.................. 9-9
Overheating.....................9-18
Starting............................. 8-3
Engine Heater....................... 8-5
Entry Lighting........................ 5-3
Event Data Recorders.........12-16
Extender, Safety Belt............1-22
Exterior Lamps...................... 5-1
Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder........................4-23
INDEX i-3
ProCarManuals.com