SATURN AURA 2010 Owners Manual

Automatic Transmission Operation
(Six Speed Transmission)
The automatic
transmission has a shift
lever located on the
console between the seats.
P (Park):This position locks the front wheels. It is the
best position to use when you start the engine
because the vehicle cannot move easily.
{WARNING:
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift
lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly 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 3-27. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 5-27.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before
starting the engine. The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You must fully
apply the brake pedal then press the shift lever
button before you can shift from P (Park) while the
ignition key is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out
of P (Park), ease pressure on the shift lever and push
the shift lever all the way into P (Park) as you maintain
brake application. Then move the shift lever into
another gear. SeeShifting Out of Park on page 3-28.
3-23
ProCarManuals.com

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,
seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on page 5-18.
N (Neutral):In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart the engine when the
vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only. Also,
use N (Neutral) when the vehicle is being towed.
{WARNING:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your
foot is firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear
while the engine is running at high speed.Notice:Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is
not running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.
D (Drive):This position is for normal driving. It
provides the best fuel economy. If you need more
power for passing, and you are:
•Going less than 35 mph (56 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
•Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
M (Manual Mode):This position, allows you to change
gears similar to a manual transmission. If the vehicle
has this feature, see Driver Shift Control (DSC).
Driver Shift Control (DSC)
To use this feature, do the following:
1. Move the shift lever from D (Drive) rearward to
M (Manual).
While driving in manual mode, the transmission will
remain in the driver selected gear. When coming
to a stop in the manual position, the vehicle
will automatically shift into 1 (First) gear.
3-24
ProCarManuals.com

2. Press the + (plus) paddle located on top of the
steering wheel controls forward to upshift, or
push the backside of the shift paddle rearward to
downshift.The Driver Information Center (DIC) in the instrument
cluster will change from the currently displayed message
to the letter “M”, For Manual position, and a number
indicating the requested gear range when moving
the shift lever forward or rearward.
While using the DSC feature the transmission will have
firmer shifting and sportier performance. You can
use this for sport driving or when climbing hills to stay in
gear longer or to downshift for more power or engine
braking.
The transmission will only allow you to shift into gears
appropriate for the vehicle speed and engine revolutions
per minute (RPM):
•The transmission will not automatically shift to the
next higher gear if the vehicle speed or engine
RPM is too low.
•The transmission will not allow shifting to the next
lower gear if the vehicle speed or engine RPM is
too high.
3-25
ProCarManuals.com

Second or Third Gear Start Feature
When accelerating the vehicle from a stop in snowy and
icy conditions, you may want to shift the gear select
tap switch into Second or Third gear. A higher
gear allows you to gain more traction on slippery
surfaces.
With the DSC feature, the vehicle can be set to pull
away in Second or Third gear.
1. Move the shift lever from D (Drive) into the
M (Manual Mode).
2. With the vehicle stopped, press (+) end of the
button to select Second or Third gear. The
vehicle will start from a stop position in Second or
Third gear.
3. Once moving select the desired drive gear.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake,
push down the parking
brake pedal. If the ignition
is in ON/RUN, the
brake system warning light
will come on. SeeBrake
System Warning Light
on page 4-30.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down, then push down momentarily on the parking
brake pedal until you feel the pedal release. If the
parking brake is not released when you begin to drive,
the brake system warning light will be on and a
chime will sound warning you that the parking brake is
still on.
3-26
ProCarManuals.com

The PUSH PARK PEDAL message will also appear in
the Driver Information Center (DIC) to remind you
to release the parking brake. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 4-42.
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.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill, see
Towing a Trailer on page 5-27.Shifting Into Park
{WARNING:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly 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. If
you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 5-27.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 3-26for 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).
3-27
ProCarManuals.com

Leaving the Vehicle with the Engine
Running
{WARNING:
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with the
engine running. The vehicle could move suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the
parking brake firmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it could overheat
and even catch fire. You or others could be
injured. Do not leave the vehicle with the engine
running.
If you have to leave the vehicle with the engine running,
be sure the vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking
brake is firmly set before you leave it. After you have
moved the shift lever into P (Park), hold the regular
brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift
lever away from P (Park) without first pushing the
button.
If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully
locked in P (Park).
Torque Lock
Torque lock is when the weight of the vehicle puts too
much force on the parking pawl in the transmission.
This happens when parking on a hill and shifting
the transmission into P (Park) is not done properly and
then it is difficult to shift out of P (Park). To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift
into P (Park). To find out how, see “Shifting Into Park”
listed previously.
If torque lock does occur, your vehicle may need to be
pushed uphill by another vehicle to relieve the parking
pawl pressure, so you can shift out of P (Park).
Shifting Out of Park
The vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to:
•Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift
lever is in P (Park) with the shift lever button fully
released, and
•Prevent movement of the shift lever out of P (Park),
unless the ignition is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY and the regular brake pedal is
applied.
The shift lock release is always functional except in
the case of an uncharged or low voltage (less than
9 volt) battery.
3-28
ProCarManuals.com

If the vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery with
low voltage, try charging or jump starting the battery.
SeeJump Starting on page 6-36for more information.
To shift out of P (Park):
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Press the shift lever button.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out of P (Park):
1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift
lever button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from P (Park), see
your dealer/retailer.Parking Over Things That Burn
{WARNING:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under the vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other things that
can burn.
3-29
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Exhaust
{WARNING:
Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. Exposure to CO
can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
•The vehicle idles in areas with poor ventilation
(parking garages, tunnels, deep snow that
may block underbody airflow or tail pipes).
•The exhaust smells or sounds strange or
different.
•The exhaust system leaks due to corrosion or
damage.
•The vehicle’s exhaust system has been
modified, damaged or improperly repaired.
•There are holes or openings in the vehicle
body from damage or after-market
modifications that are not completely sealed.
WARNING: (Continued)
WARNING: (Continued)
If unusual fumes are detected or if it is suspected
that exhaust is coming into the vehicle:
•Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
•Have the vehicle repaired immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the engine running in
an enclosed area such as a garage or a building
that has no fresh air ventilation.
3-30
ProCarManuals.com

Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{WARNING:
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Never run the engine in an enclosed area that has
no fresh air ventilation. For more information, see
Engine Exhaust on page 3-30.
{WARNING:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
automatic transmission shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake firmly 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).
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park on page 3-27.
If parking on a hill and pulling a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 5-27.
3-31
ProCarManuals.com

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Hold the inside rearview mirror in the center to move it
for a clearer view of behind your vehicle. Adjust the
mirror to reduce the glare of headlamps from behind
you. Push the tab forward for daytime use and pull it for
nighttime use.
There are also three additional OnStar
®control buttons
located at the bottom of the mirror. See your dealer/
retailer for more information on the system and how to
subscribe to OnStar
®. See the OnStar®owner’s
guide for more information about the services OnStar®
provides.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the mirror. Use a
soft towel dampened with water.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
The vehicle may have an automatic dimming inside
rearview mirror with a compass display and OnStar®.
Vehicles with OnStar
®have three additional control
buttons located at the bottom of the mirror. See your
retailer/dealer for more information on the system
and how to subscribe to OnStar. See the OnStar
®
owner’s guide for more information about the services
OnStar provides.
O(On/Off):Press to turn the dimming feature on or
off. This button is located on the lower left side of
the mirror.
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
Automatic dimming reduces the glare of lights from
behind the vehicle. The dimming feature comes on and
the indicator light illuminates each time the vehicle is
started.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the mirror. Use a
soft towel dampened with water.
3-32
ProCarManuals.com