power steering SATURN ION 2004 Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: SATURN, Model Year: 2004, Model line: ION, Model: SATURN ION 2004Pages: 380, PDF Size: 2.89 MB
Page 85 of 380

9(LOCK):This position locks your steering column
in a vehicle with a manual transmission. It is a
theft-deterrent feature. You will only be able to remove
your key when the ignition is turned to LOCK.
If you have an automatic transaxle, the ignition switch
can’t be turned to LOCK unless the shift lever is in
PARK (P).
{CAUTION:
If you have a manual transaxle removing the key
from the ignition switch will lock the steering
column and result in a loss of ability to steer the
vehicle. This could cause a collision. If you need
to turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving,
turn the key to ACC.
ACC (ACCESSORY):This position operates some of
your electrical accessories. It unlocks the steering wheel
and ignition.
R(RUN):This is the position the switch returns to
after you start your engine and release the switch.
The switch stays in the RUN position when the engine
is running. But even when the ignition is not running,
you can use RUN to operate your electrical accessories
and to display some warning and indicator lights.
/(START):This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to RUN for normal driving.
A warning tone will sound if you open the driver’s door
when the key has not been removed from the ignition.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle has RAP a feature that allows certain
accessories to continue to work for up to 10 minutes
after the ignition has been turned off. The radio, wipers
(high speed only), power windows, sunroof, and rear
accessory power outlet will continue to work until
10 minutes have passed or any door has been opened.
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Message Center.............................................3-41
Low Traction Message...................................3-42
Traction Off Message....................................3-42
Cruise Control Message.................................3-42
Transaxle Fluid Hot Message.........................3-42
Transaxle Fluid Cold Message........................3-43
Low Coolant Level Warning Message................3-43
Change Engine Oil Message..........................3-43
Check Gage Message...................................3-44
Power Steering Message...............................3-44
Trunk Ajar Warning Message.........................3-44
Low Fuel Warning Message...........................3-45
Service Vehicle Message...............................3-45
Error Message.............................................3-45Audio System(s).............................................3-46
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)..................................3-46
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data
Systems (RDS).........................................3-47
AM-FM Radio...............................................3-47
Radio with CD (Base Level)...........................3-50
Radio with CD (MP3)....................................3-54
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-68
Radio Reception...........................................3-70
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-71
Care of Your CD Player................................3-71
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-71
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.............3-71
Section 3 Instrument Panel
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Page 156 of 380

Check Gage Message
If the CHK GAGE message
is displayed, the engine
coolant may be
overheated. A chime will
also sound to alert
you to this message.
If this message is displayed, check your engine coolant
temperature gage. If the needle is in the red area,
your engine may be overheating. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-35andEngine
Overheating on page 5-29for more information.
Notice:Driving with either the CHK GAGE message
or the COOLANT message displayed in the
message center and the Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage on your instrument panel in the
red zone could cause your vehicle to overheat.
See “Engine Overheating” underEngine Coolant on
page 5-26. Your vehicle could be damaged and
the damages might not be covered by your warranty.
Power Steering Message
If the PWR STR message
is displayed, a problem
has been detected with the
electric power steering.
If you suspect electric power steering problems and/or
the PWR STR message is on, see your retailer for
service and repair.
Trunk Ajar Warning Message
When the TRUNK
message is displayed,
it means the trunk lid is not
fully closed.
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Page 192 of 380

Remember: Anti-lock does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance. If you get too close to
the vehicle in front of you, you will not have time to apply
your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even
though you have anti-lock brakes.
Using Anti-Lock
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel
a slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise,
but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation
that requires hard braking.
If you have anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the
same time. However, if you do not have anti-lock, your
rst reaction — to hit the brake pedal hard and hold
it down — may be the wrong thing to do. Your wheels
can stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle can not
respond to your steering. Momentum will carry it
in whatever direction it was headed when the wheels
stopped rolling. That could be off the road, into the very
thing you were trying to avoid, or into traffic.If you do not have anti-lock, use a “squeeze” braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking
while maintaining steering control. You can do this by
pushing on the brake pedal with steadily increasing
pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze the
brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear or
feel the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal.
This will help you retain steering control. If youdohave
anti-lock, it is different. See “Anti-Lock Brake System”
in this section.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a traction control system that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the front wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens,
the system works the front brakes and reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
The LOW TRAC message will be displayed when the
traction control system is limiting wheel spin. See
Low Traction Message on page 3-42. You may feel or
hear the system working, but this is normal.
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Page 193 of 380

If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
reengage the cruise control. See “Cruise Control” under
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-8.
The traction control system automatically comes on
whenever you start your vehicle. The light on the traction
control button will also come on to let you know the
system is on. To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery
road conditions, you should always leave the system
on. But you can turn the traction control system off if you
ever need to. You should turn the system off if your
vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and
rocking the vehicle is required. See “Rocking Your
Vehicle” underIf You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or
Snow on page 4-30.
To turn the system off,
press the traction control
button with this symbol
on it, located on the
instrument panel
switchbank.If the system is limiting wheel spin when you press the
button, the LOW TRAC message will go off, but the
system will not turn off until there is no longer a current
need to limit wheel spin. The TRAC OFF light will
come on brie y to let you know the system has been
turned off, and will not limit wheel spin. The light on the
traction control button will also go off. Adjust your
driving accordingly. You can turn the system back on at
any time by pressing the button again.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
If the engine stalls while you are driving, the power
steering assist system will continue to operate until you
are able to stop the vehicle.
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
If you suspect steering
problems and/or the
PWR STR message is
displayed, see your retailer
for service and repair.
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