suspension SATURN ASTRA 2009 Owners Manual

Tire Chains
{CAUTION
Do not use tire chains. There is
not enough clearance. Tire chains
used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes,
suspension or other vehicle parts.
The area damaged by the tire
chains could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle and you or
others may be injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for use on the
vehicle and tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer’s instructions. To
help avoid damage to the vehicle,
drive slowly, readjust or remove
the device if it is contacting the
vehicle, and do not spin the
vehicle’s wheels. If you do nd
traction devices that will t,
install them on the front tires.
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 the
way 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. If a
jack is provided with the vehicle,
it 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. If a jack is provided
with the vehicle, only use it 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.
9-60 Vehicle Service and Care
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Scheduled Maintenance (cont’d)
ServiceMaintenanceIMaintenance II
Inspect brake system. See footnote (c). ••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels and add uid as
needed. ••
Perform any needed additional services. See Additional Required Services
on page 11-6. ••
Inspect suspension and steering components. See footnote (d). •
Inspect engine cooling system. See footnote (e). •
Inspect wiper blades. See footnote (f). •
Inspect restraint system components. See footnote (g). •
Lubricate body components. See footnote (h). •
Service and Maintenance 11-5
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Maintenance Footnotes
(a)A fluid loss in any vehicle system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired
and the fluid level checked. Add fluid
if needed.
(b)If driving regularly under dusty
conditions or in high-polluted
regions, replace the filter at each
engine oil change.
(c)Inspect brake lines and hoses for
proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect disc
brake pads for wear and rotors for
surface condition. Inspect other
brake parts, including calipers,
parking brake, etc.
(d)Inspect front and rear suspension
and steering system for damaged,
loose, or missing parts or signs of
wear. Inspect power steering cables
for proper hook-up, binding, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect power steering
hydraulic lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc.(e)Inspect hoses and have them
replaced if they are cracked,
swollen, or deteriorated. Inspect all
pipes, fittings and clamps; replace
with genuine parts as needed.
To help ensure proper operation,
a pressure test of the cooling system
and pressure cap and cleaning
the outside of the radiator and
air conditioning condenser is
recommended at least once a year.
(f)Inspect wiper blades for wear,
cracking, or contamination.
Clean the windshield and wiper
blades, if contaminated. Replace
wiper blades that are worn or
damaged. See Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement on page 9-21
and “Windshield and Wiper Blades”
in Exterior Cleaning on page 9-76.
(g)Make sure the safety belt
reminder light and safety belt
assemblies are working properly.
Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts.
If you see anything that might keep
a safety belt system from doingits job, have it repaired. Have any
torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also see Airbag System Check
on page 1-37.
(h)Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
door hinges and latches, hood
hinges and latches, and trunk lid
hinges and latches. More frequent
lubrication may be required
when exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone
grease on weatherstrips with a clean
cloth will make them last longer,
seal better, and not stick or squeak.
(i)Change automatic transmission
fluid if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the
outside temperature regularly
reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer
towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police,
or delivery service.
11-8 Service and Maintenance
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