SATURN AURA HYBRID 2007 Owners Manual

{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and
crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts. Use the recommended coolant and
the proper coolant mixture.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on
hot engine parts. Coolant contains
ethylene glycol and it will burn if the
engine parts are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
1. Remove the coolant
surge tank pressure
cap when the
cooling system,
including the coolant
surge tank
pressure cap and
upper radiator hose,
is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise
about two or two and one-half turns. If you
hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. This allows
any pressure still left to be vented out the
discharge hose.
281

2. Then keep turning the pressure cap slowly,
and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper
mixture, to the FULL COLD mark on the
front of the surge tank. Wait about ve
minutes, then check to see if the level is
below the FULL COLD mark. If the level is
below the FULL COLD mark, add additional
coolant to bring the level up to the mark.
Repeat this procedure until the level remains
constant at the FULL COLD mark for at
least ve minutes.4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off,
start the engine and let it run until you can
feel the upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch
out for the engine cooling fans.
By this time, the coolant level inside the
coolant surge tank may be lower. If the level
is lower than the FULL COLD mark, add
more of the proper mixture to the coolant
surge tank until the level reaches the FULL
COLD mark.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
See your dealer/retailer, if necessary.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer uid, be sure
to read the manufacturer’s instructions before
use. If you will be operating your vehicle in an area
where the temperature may fall below freezing,
use a uid that has sufficient protection against
freezing.
282

Adding Washer Fluid
When the windshield washer uid reservoir is low,
a LOW WASHER FLUID message displays on
the Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 182for more
information.
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer uid
until the tank is full. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 264
for reservoir location.Notice:When using concentrated washer uid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions
for adding water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer
uid. Water can cause the solution to
freeze and damage your washer uid tank
and other parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as well
as washer uid.
Fill the washer uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is very cold.
This allows for uid expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage the tank if it is
completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
the vehicle’s windshield washer system
and paint.
283

Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master
cylinder reservoir is
lled with DOT-3 brake
uid. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 264for the
location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid
level in the reservoir might go down. The rst
is that the brake uid goes down to an acceptable
level during normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are put in, the uid level goes back
up. The other reason is that uid is leaking out of
the brake hydraulic system. If it is, you should
have the brake hydraulic system xed, since a leak
means that sooner or later the brakes will not
work well.So, it is not a good idea to top off the brake uid.
Adding brake uid will not correct a leak. If
you add uid when the linings are worn, there will
be too much uid when you get new brake
linings. Add or remove brake uid, as necessary,
only when work is done on the brake hydraulic
system.
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has too much brake uid, it
can spill on the engine. The uid will burn
if the engine is hot enough. You or others
could be burned, and your vehicle could
be damaged. Add brake uid only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When the brake uid falls to a low level, the
BRAKE FLUID message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC) displays. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 182.
284

What to Add
When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3
brake uid. Use new brake uid from a sealed
container only. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 365.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the
area around the cap before removing it. This
helps keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in the brake
hydraulic system, the brakes might not
work well. This could cause a crash.
Always use the proper brake uid.Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage
brake hydraulic system parts. For
example, just a few drops of mineral-based
oil, such as engine oil, in the brake
hydraulic system can damage brake
hydraulic system parts so badly that they
will have to be replaced. Do not let
someone put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint nish can
be damaged. Be careful not to spill brake
uid on your vehicle. If you do, wash it
off immediately. SeeWashing Your Vehicle
on page 335.
285

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has disc brakes. Disc brake pads
have built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
can come and go or be heard all the time
your vehicle is moving, except when you are
pushing on the brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon the brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your
vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates can cause a
brake squeal when the brakes are rst applied
or lightly applied. This does not mean something
is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and evenly tighten
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to torque
specications inCapacities and Specications on
page 351.
Brake linings should always be replaced as
complete axle sets.Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake pedal does
not return to normal height, or if there is a
rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service might be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without
the vehicle moving, the brakes adjust for wear.
286

Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. Your vehicle was designed and tested
with top-quality brake parts. When you replace
parts of the braking system — for example, when
the brake linings wear down and you need
new ones put in — be sure you get new approved
replacement parts. If you do not, the brakes
might not work properly. For example, if someone
puts in brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle, the balance between the front and rear
brakes can change — for the worse. The braking
performance you have come to expect can
change in many other ways if someone puts in the
wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
{CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and
gas that can explode. You can be badly
hurt if you are not careful. SeeJump
Starting on page 289for tips on working
around a battery without getting hurt.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash
hands after handling.
Your vehicle has a standard 12-volt battery and a
36-volt hybrid battery system.
287

12-Volt Battery
When it is time for a new standard 12-volt battery,
see your dealer/retailer for one that has the
replacement number shown on the original
battery’s label.
36-Volt Battery System
If you need a new 36-volt hybrid battery system,
see your dealer/retailer.
Vehicle Storage
If you are not going to drive your vehicle for
30 days or more, you should disconnect the
standard 12-volt battery by disconnecting
the negative battery cable, the one that is exposed.
Remember to reconnect the battery when you
are ready to drive your vehicle.Notice:The 36-volt hybrid battery system
should be serviced only by a qualied facility
to avoid battery system damage. See your
dealer/retailer if service is needed.
Notice:If the vehicle is not driven for over
two months, the 36-volt hybrid battery can be
permanently damaged.
The 36-volt battery is located behind the rear seat,
in the trunk. If the vehicle is stored for an
extended period of time, drive the vehicle every
two months for about half an hour to keep
the 36-volt hybrid battery charged and in good
working condition.
288

Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start
your vehicle. Be sure to use the following steps to
do it safely.
{CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode or
ignite.
They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly,
some or all of these things can hurt you.
Notice:Ignoring these steps could result in
costly damage to your vehicle that would
not be covered by your warranty.Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or
pulling it will not work, and it could damage
your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a
12-volt battery with a negative ground system.
Notice:If the other vehicle’s system is not a
12-volt system with a negative ground,
both vehicles can be damaged. Only use
vehicles with 12-volt systems with negative
grounds to jump start your vehicle.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper
cables can reach, but be sure the vehicles are
not touching each other. If they are, it could
cause a ground connection you do not
want. You would not be able to start your
vehicle, and the bad grounding could damage
the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling,
set the parking brake rmly on both vehicles
involved in the jump start procedure. Put
an automatic transaxle in PARK (P) or
a manual transaxle in NEUTRAL before
setting the parking brake.
289

Notice:If you leave your radio or other
accessories on during the jump starting
procedure, they could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Always turn off your radio and other
accessories when jump starting your vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles.
Unplug unnecessary accessories plugged into
the cigarette lighter or the accessory power
outlet. Turn off the radio and all lamps that are
not needed. This will avoid sparks and help
save both batteries. And it could save
the radio!4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find
the positive (+) and negative (−) terminal
locations on each vehicle. Your vehicle’s
positive (+) terminal is located under a
red tethered cap on the battery. The
negative (–) terminal is located under a black
tethered cap on the battery. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 264for more
information on location. Flip the caps up to
access the positive (+) and negative (–)
terminals.
{CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the
engine is not running and can injure you.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
290